The Lee University women’s golf team will be battling to finish in the top eight when play begins on Thursday in the NCAA DII Women’s National Championship being played on the par-72 Orange County National course. The Lady Flames slipped to a +10 298 on Wednesday and stands in eighth place at 587 after 36 holes.
The top eight teams in the 18-team field plus the two top individual players will advance to match-play on Friday. Lee leads Nova Southeastern and St. Mary’s (TX) by four strokes and Anderson (SC) by five strokes moving into Thursday’s play.
Flagler College fired a 6-under 282 on Wednesday and its 570 total holds down the top spot in the tourney. West Texas A&M, Findlay, Lynn and Dallas Baptist follow Flagler in the top five.
Gabby Woods of Findlay and Madison Murr (Cal State San Marcus) are deadlocked for medalist honors at 138. Woods carded a 5-under 67 on Wednesday and Murr finished with a 4-under 68.
Banthita “Pearl” Phoncharatkun was consistent again for the Lady Flames. She totaled an even-par 72 to go with her 71 on Tuesday and her 143 is tied for 14th overall. Supuschaya “Yui” Srichantamit as expected improved to 1-over 73. She is at 147 and tied for 31st overall. Hannah Nall slipped to a 75 and her two-day total is at 145. The sophomore is tied for 19th in the individual standings. Olivia Ireland tallied a 6-over 78 and is at 153. Emily Ritchie also had a 78.
Lee will be trying to beat the Florida heat again on Thursday morning when they are scheduled to lineup on the first tee box at 10:30.