April 24, 2009
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 11th-ranked Purdue women's golf team will begin the third round of the 2009 Big Ten Women's Golf Championships in first place after carding a two-round score of 609 (+33) on Friday. The defending conference champion Boilermakers also occupy the top three individual spots in the field, led by sophomore Maude-Aimee LeBlanc's two-round score of 150 (+6).
Purdue opened the tournament by firing a first-round team total of 309 (+21), which gave the Boilermakers a seven-stroke lead over Michigan State after one round of play. The Boilermakers went on to shoot nine strokes better in the afternoon, turning in a second round score of 300 (+12).
Battling wind gusts exceeding 35 mph, LeBlanc shot a consistent 150 (+6), firing three-over par 75s in each round. The Sherbrooke, Quebec, native knocked in two birdies on the day, one on the opening hole of the first round and again on the par-four 309-yard seventh hole during her second round.
Senior Maria Hernandez sits one stroke behind LeBlanc in second place with a two-round score of 151 (+7). The two-time first team All-American began her quest for a second consecutive Big Ten title with a seven-over par 79 in her opening round, but rebounded nicely with a tournament-low 72 (E) in the latter half of the day.
Thea Hoffmeister was the third Purdue golfer in the top three. The Berlin, Germany, native opened the tournament with a four-over par 76 and shot a 77 (+5) in her second round to total a 153 (+9).
Sophomore Junthima Gulyanamitta will tee off Saturday's third round in seventh place. The Muang Rayong, Thailand, native finished at eleven-over par with a two round score of 155. Gulyanamitta climbed to as low as two-under in her opening round, but could not overcome back-to-back double bogeys on holes No. 9 and 10, finishing with a first round score of 78 (+6) and a second round score of 77 (+5).
Freshman Vaishavi Sinha (83-80=163, +19) is tied for 32nd, while Carolyn Mess (85-83=168, +24) is in a tie for 53rd.
The Boilermakers hold an 18-stroke lead over second-place Ohio State (317-310=627, +51). The Buckeyes have four golfers in the top 25, including Vicky Villanueva and In Hong Lim, who are tied for 13th with scores of 158 (+14).
Purdue is playing host to the conference tournament on the 6,333-yard, par-72 Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex's Kampen Course. The third round will get underway with tee times beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday. Admission and parking is free.
To see photos from the first and second rounds click here.
Live scoring will be available for Saturday's third round at golfstat.com.
A full recap and results will be posted at purduesports.com at the conclusion of Saturday's third round.