HANAHAN, S.C. -- Furman junior Audrey Ryu (-4) is tied for 11th after Monday's two rounds of the 20th annual Cougar Classic at the par 71, 6,279 yard Yeamans Hall Club in Hanahan, S.C.
A native of Dublin, Ohio, Ryu was flawless through the first 17 holes of round one, firing a 3-under 68 with four birdies. She was 1-under par at 70 with birdies on No. 2 and No. 13 in round two to finish the day three strokes behind leader Valentine Delon (-7) of Virginia Tech.
Sophomore Eva Ringwald (E) shot an even 71 in each of Monday's rounds to tie for 33rd. In round one, she posted a team-high five birdies with three birdies in four holes from No. 2 through No. 5, then Ringwald led the Paladins with four birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 4 and No. 5, in round two.
Freshman Ava Hanneman (+4) carded a 75 with birdies on No. 2 and No. 18 in the day's opening round then rebounded to score a 71 with three birdies in the afternoon. She enters Tuesday's final round tied for 60th.
Sophomore Jenna Madden (+6) and freshman Olivia Hasselbach (+6) are tied for 70th. Madden scored an 78 in the first round and answered with a 1-under 70 in round two. She tallied three birdies in the afternoon round with back to back birdies on No. 4 and No. 5. Hasselbach eagled the par-5 No. 9 and added four birdies in round one to finish with a 73 then posted a 75 with birdies on No. 4 and No. 9 in round two.
Tennessee (-19) leads the tournament by three strokes over Ole Miss (-16). Clemson (-15) is in third place, followed by Florida (-11) in fourth and UCF (-10) in fifth place. The Paladins (+1) are in tenth place in the loaded field, ahead of Power 4 opponents Auburn (+6 - 11th), Penn State (+11 - 12th), Maryland (+11 - 12th), Miami (+12 - 14th), Georgia (+13 - 15th), and N.C. State (+16 - 16th), plus various other teams.
"This was a great start to not only this year but the next two years," said Furman head coach Jeff Hull at the conclusion of Monday's play. "We are very young and talented with our entire team returning next year. Our players had great attitudes all day, showed lots of fight, and played some great golf. We left some out there, so I'm hoping we can do even better tomorrow."
The 54-hole tournament concludes Tuesday with an 8:45 a.m. shotgun start. The Paladins will tee off on No. 9 through No. 11 and will play in a group with Auburn and Penn State. Admission is free and fans are welcome. Live results will be available at https://scoreboard.clippd.com/tournaments/238722/scoring/team.
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10 Furman 287 282 569 +1
T11 Audrey Ryu 69 74 143 -4
T33 Eva Ringwald 71 71 142 E
T60 Ava Hanneman 75 71 146 +4
T70 Jenna Madden 78 70 148 +6
T70 Olivia Hasselbach 73 75 148 +6
