HANAHAN, S.C. -- Sophomore Sophia Burnett (-1) is tied for 18th to lead the Furman women's golf team in the Paladins' season opener Monday at the 17th annual Cougar Classic at the par 72, 6,301 yard Yeamans Hall Club in Hanahan, S.C.

A native of Bluffton, S.C., Burnett carded a 72 with a team-high four birdies, including back to back birdies on No. 4 and No. 5 in Monday's opening round then carded an even 72 in round two.  She paced the Paladins with four birdies in the second round with consecutive birdies on No. 10 and No. 11 to finish the round. 

Senior Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (+9) sits in a tie for 24th entering Tuesday's final round.  She shot a 75 with two birdies in the day's first round then fired a 69 to lead Furman in round two.  In the afternoon round, Rhéaume posted three birdies, with consecutive birdies on No. 14 and No. 15.  

Freshman Savannah Hylton (+4) and senior Kyra Cox (+4) are tied for 51st after two rounds.  Hylton carded a 75 in her collegiate debut and tallied a 73 with a birdie on No. 13 in round two.  Cox recorded a 77 in round one and rebounded with a 71 with three birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 8 and No. 9 in the day's second round. 

Junior Anna Morgan (+5) scored a 73 with consecutive birdies on No. 14 and No. 15 and an additional birdie on No. 8 in round one.  She added a 76 with birdies on No. 2 and No. 13 in the second round to tie for 61st. 

Brooke Matthews (-17) of Arkansas holds a five-stroke lead over the field after posting rounds of 63-64=127 on Monday. 

The Paladins led the field with 126 pars on Monday, and Furman tied for fifth in par 4 scoring with a 4.06 average.

Georgia (-16) leads the field by five strokes entering Tuesday's final round.  Arkansas (-11) is in second place, while Florida (-9) and UCF (-9) are tied for third.  Baylor (-8) rounds out the top five.  The Paladins (+3) are tied for eighth place with Vanderbilt (+3), ahead of Clemson (+4) who sits in tenth.  Furman leads Power 5 opponents Miami, Penn State, Wisconsin, Tennessee, N.C. State, and Maryland. 

The 54-hole tournament will conclude with a shotgun start beginning at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday.  Furman will tee off of No. 7 through No. 9 and will play in a group with Michigan State and Vanderbilt.  Live tournament scoring will be available via http://www.golfstat.com.

9 Furman 295 284 579 +3

T18 Sophia Burnett (1) 72 71 143 -1

T24 Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (2) 75 69 144 E

T51 Savannah Hylton (4) 75 73 148 +4

T51 Kyra Cox (5) 77 71 148 +4

T61 Anna Morgan (3) 73 76 149 +5