HILTON HEAD, S.C. -- Junior Anna Morgan (-2) is alone at the top of the leader board after Monday's opening round of the tenth edition of the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate at the par 71, 6,281 yard Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, S.C.
The tournament is making history as the first all-women's regular season collegiate golf tournament to be aired live on Golf Channel. The network will continue live coverage on Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. with encore presentations later in the evening.
A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Morgan teed off on No. 10 and birdied No. 13 and No. 16 to make the turn at even par. She then recorded four birdies on the front nine, including birdies on three of four holes from No. 5 to No. 8, to finish the round at 2-under par. Morgan holds a 1-stroke lead over a group of six players who are tied for second place at the tournament, which will continue on Tuesday morning.
"Today was a really fun day and an overall solid round," said Morgan before heading to tonight's Darius Rucker concert for players and coaches. "I really didn't make many mistakes, and when I did, I was able to make a few solid saves. My putting was probably the most solid part of my game today, so I was able to take advantage and make some birdies."
Senior Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (+2) carded a 73 with four total birdies, including two on the front and two on the back, to tie for 22nd, while sophomore Sophia Burnett (+3) is tied for 37th after posting a 74 with three birdies in Monday's first round.
Freshman Savannah Hylton (+9) shot an 80 with a birdie on No. 18 to finish the day in 81st place, and senior Kyra Cox (+12) is tied for 86th after tallying an 83 in the tournament's opening round.
"We played pretty well today and proved that, when we play well, we can be as good as anyone in the country," said Furman head coach Jeff Hull after the round. "Our team played hard and showed some grit coming in. It was fun to see Anna play so well today, and I am looking forward to tomorrow."
No. 21 Baylor (+3) leads the tournament by two strokes over 11th-ranked Texas (+6). No. 8 Alabama (+6) is third, followed by fifth-ranked Wake Forest (+7) and No. 17 LSU (+7), who are tied for fourth. No. 13 Arizona State (+8) is in sixth place, and No. 30 Georgia (+10) is in seventh place. Tenth-ranked Arkansas (+11) and No. 34 Vanderbilt (+11) are tied for eighth place, and the 45th-ranked Paladins (+12) and No. 48 Northwestern (+12) are tied for tenth. Six Power 5 teams, including host South Carolina (+19), which is ranked fourth nationally, round out the final six teams.
The 54-hole tournament continues on Tuesday beginning at 9:40 a.m. with teams teeing off of No. 1 and No. 10. Furman will tee off of No. 1 beginning at 9:40 a.m. and will play in a group with Vanderbilt and individuals. Live tournament scoring will be available via http://www.golfstat.com.
T10 Furman 296 296 +12
1 Anna Morgan (1) 69 69 -2
T22 Sarah-Eve Rhéaume (3) 73 73 +2
T37 Sophia Burnett (2) 74 74 +3
81 Savannah Hylton (5) 80 80 +9
T86 Kyra Cox (4) 83 83 +12
2022 Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Golf Channel Coverage Schedule
Dates Live (ET) Encores (ET)
Monday, Feb. 28 2:30-5:30 p.m. Midnight-3 a.m.
Tuesday, March 1 2:30-5:30 p.m. 9:30p.m.-12:30 a.m.; 8-11 a.m. (Wednesday)
Wednesday, March 2 2:30-5:30 p.m. 6:30-9:30 p.m.
