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May 7, 2009

Day One Results

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The 17th-seeded University of Texas Women’s Golf team fired an even-par 288 in the opening round of the 2009 NCAA West Regional Championship to finish the day tied for second place in the 21-team field.  Senior Kristin Walla (70, -2) led the Longhorns during an afternoon that sizzled at more than 100 degrees with a 2-under 70 on the par-72, 6,230-yard Arizona State University Karsten Golf Course.

Beginning the day on the 10th hole as the fourth player in the Texas lineup, Walla found birdies on three of the four par-4s on the back nine to make the turn at 3-under.  Three bogeys on the first, fourth and fifth holes cost Walla her three stroke margin in regards to par, but she found back-to-back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes to result in the 2-under scorecard and a tie for 10th place.

Senior Kelley Louth (72, E) and junior Shannon Fish (72, E) each traded three bogeys for three birdies to finish the first round tied for 17th at even par.  Despite making birdies on three of the four par-5s on the course, freshman long-hitter Nicole Vandermade (74, +2) carded five bogeys and three birdies to finish the day at 2-over 74 and tied for 44th.  Senior Caney Hines (77, +5) rounded out the Texas lineup with a 5-over 77 and is tied for 81st.

Top-seeded Arizona State (273, -15) jumped out of the gate with a 15-under 273 and holds a 15-stroke lead over a trio of teams tied for second place at even-par 288 - Arizona, Texas and Texas A&M.  Arkansas, TCU, UC Irvine and Southern California are in a four-way tie for fifth place at 1-over 289.

Southern California’s Belen Mozo fired a field-low 6-under 66 to take the first-round lead.  UC Irvine’s Jane Chin and Arizona State’s Carlota Ciganda are one back at 5-under 67.

The Longhorns will take to the course again tomorrow, this time teeing off the first hole beginning at 7:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. CT).  Texas will be paired with fellow Big 12 Conference members Colorado and Baylor.

POST-ROUND QUOTES
Head Coach Martha Richards
On the team’s overall performance:  This golf course was set up to be played really well today.  It was in great shape and there was very little wind, so we needed to take advantage of the good conditions and I think we did.  The difficult weather in our last two events – wintry mix in Indiana and tough wind in Lubbock – paid off because it made playing today seem much more player-friendly, and we needed that.

On playing in the postseason: I think this team is revved up to be here.  We made it through the NCAA Central Regional Championship last year when we were a No. 13 seed.  They really love this golf course, and a lot of them have played really well here in the past. 

On the play of senior Kristin Walla: I’ve said all along that we can always count on Walla to have at least one low round in each tournament.  She did a great job today, stayed very composed.  When she made a bogey, she’d bounce back and make some good pars, and left herself a lot of good birdie opportunities.  She’s really doing a great job of staying in the present, and I’m excited for her.