Clemson Fifth after Two Rounds of Gator Invitational

Clemson, S.C.—Kennedy Swann continued her outstanding play with a second round 69 to lead Clemson to a fifth-place standing after two rounds of the Sun Trust Gator Invitational at Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday.   Clemson was one of 13 teams to play 36 holes on Saturday. The two-day 54-hole event concludes Sunday on the par 70 Mark Bostick Country Club Course.

Florida leads the tournament with a one-under-par team score of 559. Campbell is second at 564 and Tennessee is third at 567. Eighth-ranked Furman is fourth at 569, just four strokes ahead of the Tigers, who jumped from 47th to 28th in the Golfweek team rankings after winning the Houston-Dickson 10 days ago.

Clemson played the par three holes in one-over-par, second best in the field. Clemson’s 29 birdies on Saturday were second only to host school Florida (34).

Clemson shot an 11-over-par 291 in the first round, but came back strong with a 282 score in the second round. It was Clemson’s third best round of the year in terms of total strokes.

“Our ladies really hung in there today,” said Head Coach Kelley Hester. “Playing 36 holes makes for a long day, but we played our best golf in the second round and down the stretch. We look forward to tomorrow.”

Swann had rounds of 72 and 69 to lead Clemson with a 141 total through 36 holes. The one-over-par total is good enough for eighth place in the field of 75 golfers. After her opening round 72, Swann played the second 18 three shots better, her fourth round in the 60s this year.

Sydney Legacy had a strong day also with rounds of 73 and 70. The senior from Lexington, SC led the team in birdies with eight, four in each round. She stands in 15th place after 36 holes.

Junior All-ACC golfer Alice Hewson had consecutive rounds of 72 and her 144 score is in a tie for 19th place. Hewson has played 83 rounds in her Clemson career and all 83 have counted towards Clemson’s team score.

Ana Paula Valdes had rounds of 74 and 71 and stands in 32nd place with a 145 total, while Marisa Messana had scores of 78-77 and her 155 score is 59th.

Freshman Calista Rice is playing the event as an individual and her 155 score for the two rounds is tied for 59th. Her day did include her first career eagle, a two on a par four hole.

All 13 teams conclude the event on Sunday. Live scoring is available on golfstat.com.