The LSU women’s golf team finished the first round of the Mason Rudolph Championship with a 3-shot lead over tournament host Vanderbilt University at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee.
Junior Elise Bradley’s 4-under opening round 68 led the Lady Tigers into the weekend, followed by All-Southeastern Conference senior Madelene Sagstrom’s 1-under 71. Bradley and Sagstrom helped their team to a 3-under-par 285, as the Lady Tigers finish the first round as the only team under par.
The Lady Tigers posted a 4-over second round of 292 that left them at 1-over through 36 holes dropping to second place, six strokes behind Vanderbilt.
Sagstrom followed her first round 71 with a 3-under 69 to give her a share of the individual lead going into the final round.
Bradley’s second round 6-over 78 caused her to slide out of the top 10 going into the final 18 holes.
Bradley was passed in the second round by teammate and All-SEC sophomore Caroline Nistrup, who followed an even-par first round with a 2-under 70 to put herself in the top 5 individually going into the tournament’s last day.
The Lady Tigers entered the final round at 1-over par, in prime position to compete for the Mason Rudolph Championship title just six shots back from the Vanderbilt Commodores – the only team under par.
Despite the Commodores posting a 5-over team score of 293 in the final round, the Lady Tigers were unable to overtake the top spot by the finish of play on Sunday.
The LSU team posted a 10-over-par final round 298, holding on to the second place spot over the Mississippi State Bulldogs – who finished the tournament with a final 16-over 880 (292-292-296).
Sagstrom finished the tournament as the highest placing Tiger. She finished the weekend with a 1-over 217 (71-69-77) leaving her tied for a sixth place finish with her third-round playing partner Jessica Peng of Mississippi State.
Bradley, who had the best Friday score, finished tied in the ninth place after scrambling to find a place back in the top 10 after her poor second round with a 3-over final score of 219 (68-78-73). Joining Bradley in the ninth spot is Ji Eun Baik of Mississppi State and fellow Lady Tiger Nistrup.
Nistrup finished the tournament with a 5-over 77 to give her a 3-over final tournament score of 219 (72-70-77).
Rounding out the play for the Lady Tigers were junior Nadine Dreher and sophomore Carly Ray Goldstein, who had the lowest final round score for the Lady Tigers with an even-par 72.