Gators Hold Tie for Sixth After Round One of SunTrust Gator Women's Invitational

Friday, March 16

Gainesville, FL

12:00 AM

Florida Gators

SunTrust Gator Women's Golf Invitational

Gators Hold Tie for Sixth After Round One of SunTrust Gator Women's Invitational

Friday, March 16, 2012 | Women's Golf

The No. 20th ranked University of Florida women's golf team handed in a score of 294 (+14) on the first day of the 2012 Gator Women's Invitational. The Gators will enter round two of their home event in a tie for sixth after freshman Camilla Hedberg (Sitges, Spain) and junior Mia Piccio (Bacolod City, Philippines) each carded top-10 first round efforts. No. 2 Alabama, who owns a 10-stroke lead over UF, leads after the first 18 holes at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

“Overall, it was an up and down day. We had 13 birdies and an eagle out there today, which is just great. However, we had two holes that really kept us from shooting a good team score,” said head coach Jan Dowling.

The Gators shot a combined seven-over on hole No. 2 and six-over on hole No. 14.

“The great news is we are on our home course, and we are capable of making up significant ground over the weekend. Local knowledge is extremely valuable on our golf course,” Dowling said.

Hedberg, currently tied for second, recorded her seventh round under par with a 68 (-2). Hedberg had five birdies against one bogey and one double bogey.

“Camilla played a heck of a round today,” said Dowling. “I'm very happy for her, and know she is excited for the rest of the weekend.”

Piccio will enter the second round in a tie for 10th place following a first round 71 (+1). Piccio recorded her second eagle of the season along with three birdies against four bogeys and one double bogey.

“Mia also had a very solid round today. She made a double on the 14th, and was able to finish strong despite the stumble. That shows maturity, and toughness,” Dowling explained.

Evan Jensen (Belleair, Fla.) carded a 77 (+7), Andrea Watts (Bradenton, Fla.) shot a 78 (+8) and Isabelle Lendl (Goshen, Conn.) handed in an 81 (+11), to round out the lineup for the Gators. Megan Pak (Bradenton, Fla.), who was playing as individual, finished the first round in a tie for 18th after posting a 73 (+3).

Alabama, who shot the third-best first round total in Gator Women's Invitational history, takes a two-stroke lead into the second round over Georgia. Emilie Burger of Georgia captured the individual lead after the first 18 holes with a three-under 67.

Tee times begin at 8:51 a.m. tomorrow with Isabelle Lendl teeing off first for the Gators at 9 a.m. off of hole No. 1.

For live scoring throughout the tournament visit golfstat.com.

Click here for complete pre-tournament notes.

For complete coverage of UF's women's golf program visit GatorZone.com, follow @GatorZoneGolf on Twitter and 'like' the University of Florida Women's Golf page on Facebook.

Team Leaderboard
PLACE	SCHOOL	TO PAR	SCORE
1	Alabama	+4	284
2	Georgia	+6	286
3	Florida State	+10	290
4	Kentucky	+11	291
5	Auburn	+13	293
T6	South Florida	+14	294
T6	Florida	+14	294
8	Duke	+15	295
9	Arkansas	+17	297
T10	Baylor	+22	302
T10	Chattanooga	+22	302
T12	UCF	+23	303
T12	Wisconsin	+23	303
14	Mississippi State	+24	304
15	Mississippi	+25	305
T16	Kent State	+29	309
T16	Georgia State	+29	309

Individual Top-10
PLACE	PLAYER	SCHOOL	TO PAR	SCORE
1	Emilie Burger	Georgia	-3	67
T2	Camilla Hedberg	Florida	-2	68
T2	Maria Salinas	Florida State	-2	68
4	Christina Miller	South Florida	-1	69
T5	Liz Breed	Kentucky	E	70
T5	Jordan Britt	Chattanooga	E	70
T5	Hannah Collier	Alabama	E	70
T5	Brooke Pancake	Alabama	E	70
T5	Haley Wilson	Auburn	E	70
T10	Laure Castelain	Florida State	+1	71
T10	Stephanie Meadow	Alabama	+1	71
T10	Mia Piccio	Florida	+1	71

Florida Results
PLACE	PLAYER	TO PAR	SCORE
T2	Camilla Hedberg	-2	68
T10	Mia Piccio	+1	71
T51	Evan Jensen	+7	77
T66	Andrea Watts	+8	78
86	Isabelle Lendl	+11	81
T18	*Megan Pak	+3	73