Alabama Women Make A Big Move

AUSTIN, Texas – As the temperature reached into the mid 90s the Alabama women’s golf team heated up. The No. 3 seed Crimson Tide moved all the way into a tie for sixth after posting a second round score of 293 (+5) Friday afternoon at the University of Texas Golf Club. The score was tied with UCLA for the lowest of the day as Alabama has a 36 hole score of 597 (+21).

Leading the competition is No. 2 UCLA which is playing at even par after two rounds of the three-day, three-round tourney. UCLA has a two-day total score of 576. UCLA holds a six-stroke edge over No. 6 Purdue (+6, 582), as the Boilermakers had the second-lowest round of the day with a 294 to go with their 288 on Thursday.

There are 21 teams and three individual golfers competing. The top eight team finishers and top two individuals not playing on the eight qualifying teams will earn bids to compete at the 2008 NCAA Championship which takes place Tuesday-Friday, May 20-23 in Albuquerque, N.M. at the University of New Mexico Championship Golf Course.

Sophomore Helena Blomberg led the charge for Alabama with a nine-stroke improvement, firing a second round score of 70 (-2). Blomberg drilled four birdies and only found trouble on two holes with two bogeys. The Uppsala, Sweden native has a 36 hole score of 149 (+5) to sit in a tie for 23rd.

Freshman Camilla Lennarth continues to pace the Tide after carding a second round score of 74 (+2). The Stockholm, Sweden native has a 36 hole score of 147 (+3) to rest in a tie for 18th overall. Lennarth recorded two birdies and shot back-to-back 37s to record the 74.

Freshman Courtney Harter also improved on her first day performance by firing a second round score of 74 (+2). The newcomer sank four birdies and now sits in a tie for 23rd with a 36 hole score of 149 (+5). Harter opened her round with back nine score of 35.

Junior Kathleen Ekey shot her second consecutive 77 (+5) in as many days. Ekey currently sits in a tie for 56th overall with a 36 hole score of 154 (+10). The Wadsworth, Ohio native sank two birdies and recorded a 37 on the front nine.

Senior Sarah Sturm improved from her first day by carding a second round score of 75 (+3). After a first round score of 82, Sturm now moves into a tie for 75th overall with a 36 hole score of 157 (+13). Sturm drilled three birdies and recorded a 37 on the back nine.

The Crimson Tide will once again tee off from the 10th hole. Alabama is paired with Texas and Denver and will start things off at 8:10 a.m.