EDMOND, Okla. – Jess Green led the way for the Hillcats on day one of the Diffie Ford Lincoln Invitational, sharing for the overall lead after 18 holes at KickingBird Golf Club.
Green led the Hillcats to a strong day in the team standings as well, as the Hillcats sit in second place, just three strokes off the lead.
Green shot an opening round 73 to finish the day tied with Megan Brown of Southwestern Oklahoma State for the overall lead, as Green looks to defend her individual title in the event from last year. She led all players with four birdies on the day and also had nine pars. Green also tied for the lead in par-5 scoring.
Sydney Murray finished second for the Hillcats on the day and sits in a tie for seventh in the 88-golfer field after the first round. Murray finished with a 75 in the opening round, Murray tied Green with nine pars on the day and also had two birdies in her round.
Mariana Flores and
Marelda Ayal shared third place for the Hillcats in the round, as both golfers shot a 79 to open up the event and round out the scoring positions for RSU. Flores and and Ayal sit in a tie for 25
th overall. Flores led the Hillcats with 10 pars in the round. Ayal joined Green with a team best +1 in par-3 scoring on the day.
Jaelynn Unger finished the opening round tied for 36
th overall after shooting an 81. Unger matched Green and Murray with nine pars on the day.
Paulina Flores made her official debut for the Hillcats on Monday, golfing as an individual in the event. Flores shot an 85 to sit in a tie for 55
th overall.
The Hillcats finished the day with a 306 as a team, sitting in second overall in the 15-team field. Rogers State is just three strokes back of Central Oklahoma for the overall lead and one stroke ahead of Southwestern Oklahoma State in third heading into the final day.
Rogers State will wrap up the Diffie Ford Lincoln Invitational on Tuesday with the second and final round. Tee times for Rogers State begin at 9:42 and run through 10:22 a.m.
