ORLANDO, Fla. – The Auburn women's golf team closed the fall with a 279 (-9) in the final round of The Ally. On Sunday, three months later, the Tigers once again shot 279 (-9) as a team to begin the spring season in the first round of the UCF Challenge.
Auburn made a total of 18 birdies on the day, and four players finished at par or better. The Tigers are in a tie for third, three shots back of the leader Kentucky.
"It was a solid start for the team," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "Smooth greens and very little wind usually mean lots of birdies. We had a team birdie goal of 20 and fell just shy with 18 on the day."
Anna Foster paced Auburn with a career-low 67 (-5) in the opening round. The sophomore made a total of six birdies on the day and is tied for second on the individual leaderboard.
"Anna's work on her mental game showed up today," Luellen said. "She made a superb par save after hitting her tee ball in the penalty area and then proceeded to close out her round with a couple more birdies. Last season, she might have gotten angry and made bogies. I love seeing hard work pay off."
Foster has now shot under par in eight straight rounds, a streak that began back in September at the Cougar Classic – her first tournament of the 2021-22 season.
Senior Kaleigh Telfer, coming off an individual victory at the Lady Bulldog Invitational last week, fired a 3-under 69 with four birdies in Sunday's first round. She is currently in a tie for ninth place through one round.
Junior Megan Schofill went low again for the Tigers, shooting a 71 (-1) on Sunday. It's the fourth straight round under par for Schofill who has shot par or better in nine of 10 rounds this season. The Florida native, playing in her home state, is tied for 25th overall.
Elina Sinz's 72 (E) also counted toward the team score. The sophomore made three birdies on the day and is in a tie for 38th individually.
Rounding out the Auburn contingent were seniors Julie McCarthy and Mychael O'Berry. McCarthy, playing as an individual, carded a 1-over 73 in the first round while O'Berry shot 77 (+5). McCarthy is tied for 51st, and O'Berry is tied for 90th.
For Monday's second round, there will be another shotgun start beginning at 7:45 a.m. CT. The Tigers will be paired with Old Dominion and North Carolina State. Live scoring can be found on golfstat.com.
"The goal tomorrow is to keep the birdies flowing but reduce the bogies," Luellen said.
Team Standings
1. Kentucky – 276 (-12)
2. Wake Forest – 277 (-10)
T3. Miami – 279 (-9)
T3. Auburn – 279 (-9)
T5. Old Dominion – 282 (-6)
T5. North Carolina State – 282 (-6)
7. Michigan State – 284 (-4)
8. Houston – 285 (-3)
T9. Virginia – 286 (-2)
T9. Iowa State – 286 (-2)
11. UCF – 287 (-1)
12. College of Charleston – 2888 (E)
T13. Maryland – 291 (+3)
T13. Ohio State – 291 (+3)
T13. Minnesota – 291 (+3)
16. Kent State – 292 (+4)
T17. UNC Wilmington – 296 (+8)
T17. Penn State – 296 (+8)
Auburn Individuals
T6. Anna Foster – 67 (-5)
T9. Kaleigh Telfer – 69 (-3)
T25. Megan Schofill – 71 (-1)
T38. Elina Sinz – 72 (E)
T51. Julie McCarthy, Ind. – 73 (+1)
T90. Mychael O'Berry – 77 (+5)
Led by Foster, Auburn enjoys strong start to UCF Challenge
