Dalton State once again showed why they are one of the nation's best, firing the second best round of the day on Thursday, a (+13, 301) to move into fourth place overall at (+76, 940) after the third round of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. Fla.
#1 SCAD-Savannah (Ga.), (+45, 909), continues to lead the pack, followed by #5 William Woods (Mo.), (+64, 928). #12 Keiser (Fla.), (+72, 936), is just ahead of the Lady Roadrunners in third, while #14 Taylor (Ind.), (+77, 941), fell two spots and rounds out the Top-5.
All-American Isabel Rijos led the way for the Lady Birds, firing an (E, 72) on the day.
With the even-par round, Rijos moves up the leaderboard 45 spots and into a tie for 31st. Rijos would record three birdies and three bogeys for the best Lady Roadrunner round of the tournament.
All-American Tia Teiniketo fired a 3-over, 75 on the afternoon to move up into the Top-5 overall in fourth. Teiniketo would kick off her round with six straight pars. She would encounter trouble before making the turn to the back 9 with bogeys at Nos. 7 & 8. On the back side, Teiniketo would record three bogeys and two birdies to finish out the round.
All-Americans Katie Dalton and Caroline Griffin would match each other with (+5, 77). Griffin would make the turn to the back 9 after shooting (+2, 38) on the front. She would birdie No. 13 after back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 11 & 12, but a double-bogey at No. 14 would halt her momentum.
Dalton on the other hand would get off to a slow start, carding four bogeys and a double-bogey on the front 9. It would be a different story on the back 9 as she recorded two birdies and one bogey to end the day with some momentum.
Sophomore Hannah Gasaway put together a solid round, until disaster struck at No. 16. Gasaway was sitting at 5-over with three holes left to play, but an 11 at No. 16 derailed an otherwise strong round and saw her finish the round with a (+13, 85).
"It was another great day today," said Coach Jim McGrew. "We played really well and put ourselves back toward the top. It speaks volumes about the heart and character of this team. We have one more day and I expect to continue to play well and see what happens."
#2 Dalton State has one round left as they will be back on the tee box tomorrow, May 25, for the final round of the NAIA Women's Golf National Championship from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. The Lady Roadrunners will be paired with Taylor (Ind.) and South Carolina-Beaufort and will tee off hole No. 1 beginning at 8:00 a.m. (EDT).