Mississippi State
Betsy Rawls Invitational
Lady Bulldogs Led By McDonald In Betsy Rawls Invitational
October 31, 2011 | Women's Golf
AUSTIN, Texas - With freshman Ally McDonald's 72 in the first round of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational, the Mississippi State women's golf team posted a 302 in its first appearance in the 38-year-old event.
The 14-over clip ties the team's best opening round of the season and second-best opening round in the Ginger Brown-Lemm era. MSU holds a two stroke lead over No. 18 Arizona and just three strokes back of a Top 10 finish.
"We had a very solid round today," Brown-Lemm said. "I was very proud of the effort and know that we have a better round in us tomorrow. We had a great vibe going, and fought it out to the end."
"Very pleased with our second-lowest opening round since I've been in Starkville. We are only getting better and to beat the No. 18 team in the country for a single round does a lot for our view of our program's future."
No. 12 Florida is the field leader at 3-under-par 285 and Lady Gator Evan Jenson is tops individually at 68.
McDonald's par improves her team-best 75.00 scoring average. She also currently ranks eighth in the SEC among freshmen with at least nine rounds played.
Senior Perry Katherine Furr carded her best round of the season at 75 and the best opening-round of her career.
Wasting no time in her first tournament of the fall, Esther Huffman turned in a 76. She appeared in nine of 10 tournaments during the 2010-11.
Rica Tse and Mary Langdon Gallagher rounded out the Lady Bulldogs first round with 79 and 84, respectively.
"We are proud to have the No. 8 freshman class in the country," the second-year MSU coach said. "Ally played very well with her 72, and PK (Furr) really brought it with her 75. I was so pleased to see our sophomore, Esther Huffman, return to tournament play after her shoulder surgery, be confident, and get it done with her 76!"
Second-round action begins at 8 a.m. CST Tuesday with the Lady Bulldogs are slated to tee off on No. 10 at 9 a.m. alongside New Mexico, Arkansas and individual competitors. Live stats will be available through mstateathletics.com
Fans can get updates about Mississippi State women's golf on mstateathletics.com as well as on Twitter @mstateWG and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mstateWG.
Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational
First Round - October 31, 2011
TEAM RESULTS
1. Florida (285=285, -3); 2. Texas (288=288, E); 3. Oklahoma State (290=290, +2); T4. Tulsa (293=293, +5); T4. Kent State (293=293, +5); 6. UNLV (295=295, +7); T7. Pepperdine (297=297, +9); T7. Iowa (297=297, +9); 9. Denver (298=298, +10); T10. Arkansas (299=299, +11); T10. New Mexico (299=299, +11); 12. Mississippi State (302=302, +14); 13. Wisconsin (303=303, +15); 14. Arizona (304=304, +16); 15. Princeton (315=315, +27).
MSU INVIDVIDUAL RESULTS
T12. Ally McDonald 72=72, E
T38. Perry Katherine Furr 75=75, +3
T43. Rica Tse 76=76, +4
T61. Elena Warren 79=79, +7
79. Mary Langdon Gallagher 84=84, +12
