Clemson, S.C.—Ana Paula Valdes shot a career best six under par 65 to lead Clemson to a record setting 274 team score and a nine place improvement to third place after two rounds at the Battle at the Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The 17 teams will finish the 54 hole tournament on Sunday.
Auburn is in first place after 36 holes with a 565 total. Vanderbilt is second at 575, while Clemson and Texas are tied for third at 581. Oklahoma is fifth at 584 and TCU is sixth at 585.
Clemson’s 274 team score was the best in school history by two shots and the best among all 17 teams on Saturday. The ladies achieved the record one day after the Clemson men shot its program best at a tournament in Hawaii on Friday.
The previous best for the women was a 276 on March 23, 2017 at the Clemson Invitational. The 10-under-par score on Saturday was the second best in school history vs. par and is topped only by the 12-under par round at the Clemson Invitation listed above.
Valdes broke her career best by two shots with her clean round of 65 on Saturday as she had six birdies and no bogeys in registering the best score of the day by any player. Her round was two shots better than her previous best of 67 at the Schooner Classic in Oklahoma last year. She improved from 25th to a tie for second in the individual standings with a 139 score, five under par. The junior from Mexico has 10 birdies in the first 36 holes, tied for best in the field of 92 golfers.
Freshman Ivy Shepherd also made a strong improvement on Saturday with a three under par score of 68. Clemson’s best player in terms of stroke average entering the tournament had four birdies and just one bogey and improved from 66th to 25th with her performance. She has 27 pars in the first 36 holes.
Alice Hewson, Clemson’s career stroke average leader, had a one under par 70 on Saturday, thanks to two birdies and just one bogey. Her 147 score is tied for 25th with Shepherd.
Gracyn Burgess shot an even par 71 on Saturday. She had a wide round with five birdies and five bogeys, but stands at 148 after 36 holes. Alexandra Swayne shot a 78 on Saturday.
Live scoring is available on birdiefire.com.
