Texas Tech University Athletics
Lady Raiders Fire Strong Opening Round in Puerto Rico
February 12, 2017 | Women's Golf
Gabby Barker and Lauren Mason both recorded even-par rounds Sunday at Lady Puerto Rico Classic
LUBBOCK, Texas – Backed by even-par rounds from both Lauren Mason and Gabby Barker, Texas Tech strung together a strong opening round at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic on Sunday morning as the Lady Raiders are in second place following 18 holes at the Rio Mar Country Club.
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Mason and Barker both fired 72 cards to lead the Lady Raiders to a 4-over-par 292 opening round that is just two strokes back of first-day leader Furman. Tech ended the day one stroke up on third-place Kent State and two strokes better than both TCU and Georgia, which are tied for fourth overall.
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"I thought we played well today," Tech head coach JoJo Robertson said. "The team looked great out there. We have two more days and we will just try to improve where we can."
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The Lady Raiders currently lead eight schools who are ranked higher in the latest Golfweek poll, including No. 6 Georgia, No. 10 Arkansas, No. 13 Purdue, No. 15 Kent State and No. 23 Baylor. The Lady Puerto Rico Classic annually features one of the most challenging fields in college golf as 12 of the 15 participating teams are currently ranked in the top 50 by Golfweek.
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Tech was steady throughout the opening 18 holes thanks in part to 12 birdies between Tech's five participants – Barker, Mason, Mami Yamamoto, Emma Ballard and Sofia Garcia. It marked the second-straight year where Tech has opened play in Puerto Rico with a low round as the Lady Raiders recorded a 5-under 283 to start the 2016 event.
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The Lady Raiders were boosted by a pair of birdies late in the round from both Barker and Ballard. Barker birdied her final hole of the day at the par-3 10th while Ballard did the same at the par-4 13th.
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Barker and Mason are currently tied for eighth individually while Yamamoto, who carded a 1-over 73, is tied for 17th overall. Ballard completed Tech's card with a 3-over score to place her in a tie for 29th overall. Sofia Garcia, meanwhile, came in at 6-over to end the day in a tie for 56th.
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Haylee Hartford (Furman) and Maria Vesga (Baylor) lead the field through one round after firing similar 2-under cards. Barker and Mason trail a five-way tie for third place at 1-under par as well.
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The Lady Raiders will be paired with Furman and Kent State for Monday's second round which is set for another 7 a.m. CT shotgun start. Live results will be available throughout the day at www.BirdieFire.com as well as @TexasTechWGolf on Twitter.
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Mason and Barker both fired 72 cards to lead the Lady Raiders to a 4-over-par 292 opening round that is just two strokes back of first-day leader Furman. Tech ended the day one stroke up on third-place Kent State and two strokes better than both TCU and Georgia, which are tied for fourth overall.
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"I thought we played well today," Tech head coach JoJo Robertson said. "The team looked great out there. We have two more days and we will just try to improve where we can."
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The Lady Raiders currently lead eight schools who are ranked higher in the latest Golfweek poll, including No. 6 Georgia, No. 10 Arkansas, No. 13 Purdue, No. 15 Kent State and No. 23 Baylor. The Lady Puerto Rico Classic annually features one of the most challenging fields in college golf as 12 of the 15 participating teams are currently ranked in the top 50 by Golfweek.
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Tech was steady throughout the opening 18 holes thanks in part to 12 birdies between Tech's five participants – Barker, Mason, Mami Yamamoto, Emma Ballard and Sofia Garcia. It marked the second-straight year where Tech has opened play in Puerto Rico with a low round as the Lady Raiders recorded a 5-under 283 to start the 2016 event.
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The Lady Raiders were boosted by a pair of birdies late in the round from both Barker and Ballard. Barker birdied her final hole of the day at the par-3 10th while Ballard did the same at the par-4 13th.
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Barker and Mason are currently tied for eighth individually while Yamamoto, who carded a 1-over 73, is tied for 17th overall. Ballard completed Tech's card with a 3-over score to place her in a tie for 29th overall. Sofia Garcia, meanwhile, came in at 6-over to end the day in a tie for 56th.
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Haylee Hartford (Furman) and Maria Vesga (Baylor) lead the field through one round after firing similar 2-under cards. Barker and Mason trail a five-way tie for third place at 1-under par as well.
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The Lady Raiders will be paired with Furman and Kent State for Monday's second round which is set for another 7 a.m. CT shotgun start. Live results will be available throughout the day at www.BirdieFire.com as well as @TexasTechWGolf on Twitter.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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