March 21, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The seventh-ranked Purdue women's golf team has taken a seven-stroke lead at the Battle at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, Calif., with one round to play. Laura Gonzalez-Escallon continues her stellar play and has moved into first place as an individual after recording two-straight rounds below par.
The defending national champions fired a 292 on Monday. With a two-round total of 587, Purdue holds a seven-stroke lead over top-ranked Southern California who shot a 295 after opening with a 299. No. 2 UCLA is in third, 10 strokes behind Purdue with a 597.
Gonzalez-Escallon has a one-stroke lead in first place at 141. She opened with a two-under par 70 and shot a 71 on Monday to take the top spot on the leaderboard. UNLV's Therese Koelbaek is one shot back at 142.
Maude-Aimee LeBlanc mirrored Gonzalez-Escallon, also shooting a 71 in the second round. The 6-foot-2 senior has moved into a tie for ninth with a four-over par 148. One of the golfers she is tied with is classmate Numa Gulyanamitta who carded a 75 on Monday after opening with a 73.
Freshman Alex Stewart is tied for 25th with a 152. She carded a 77 in the second round after recording a 75 on day one. Sophomore Paula Reto improved six strokes from the first round with a 75 on Monday. The reigning Big Ten Player of the week is tied for 52nd with a score of 156.
Senior Thea Hoffmeister is tied for fifth competing as an individual. The Berlin, Germany, native has shot 73-74 for a 147 with one round to go.
The Boilermakers will tee off beginning at 12:39 p.m. ET at the Championship Golf Course at Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa. The course is set up as a par-72, 6,336-yard venue for the three-day tournament.
Live scoring is available at golfstat.com and final results will be posted to purduesports.com.