Clemson, S.C.—Ana Paula Valdes had four birdies on the way to a team best three-over-par 74 to lead Clemson during the first round of the Battle at the Beach at Caba, Texas. Clemson had a team score of 307 on Friday, good enough for 12th place in the 17-team field that includes six top 25 teams. Auburn leads the way at three over par 287.
Clemson finished strong, playing the last three holes in two-under-par on the par 71 course. Valdes birdied each of her last two holes to finish at 74. The junior had four birdies to tie for fourth in the field of 92 golfers in that categories and she stands in 25th place in the individual race.
Gracyn Burgess and Alice Hewson both had rounds of 77 on Friday. Both players had three birdies, but Hewson’s came over her last eight holes to finish strong. They are both 45th after the first round.
Freshmen Alexandra Swayne and Ivy Shepherd had rounds of eight-over-par 79 on Friday to tie for 66th place.. Swayne had a triple bogey on the 10th hole and double on the 13th to ruin and otherwise solid round. Shepherd, who entered the tournament as Clemson’s leader in stroke average, had a triple on the 15th hole, but made par on the other eight holes on the back nine.
Clemson as a team had 11 birdies to finish sixth in the field and had 53 pars to rank fourth. Two holes hurt the Tigers as the team played the third hole at eight over par and the 15th at six over par.
The 17 teams return to action on Saturday. Live scoring is available on Birdiefire.com.
