Lewis and Lady'Backs enjoy record-setting start

FAYETTEVILLE — Freshman Stacy Lewis carded a three-under 216 leading the University of Arkansas to a fifth-place finish at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., Wednesday. Lewis’ round of 216 (76-70-70) included back-to-back three-under 70s on the final two days and ties the school record for lowest three-round total. Lewis had six birdies and three bogies in the first collegiate event of her career. The Lady’Backs’ fifth-place showing saw the team tie the fifth-best round with a 295 Wednesday en route to a school-record 890 (299-296-295). Arkansas’ 890 bettered the previous best of 894 set in 2003 at the Shootout at the Legends. "I’m very pleased with where we are at this point in the season," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. "We certainly have some improving to do but I’m happy with how we preformed today. I’m especially pleased with Stacy’s play early. Amanda (McCurdy) also played well throughout the week." The Lady’Backs began the day tied for eighth place but improved three spots to fifth with the fifth-best round of the day. Southeastern Conference foe No. 2 Georgia won the event leading wire-to-wire. The Bulldogs finished with an 874 (287-299-288). Junior Amanda McCurdy also began the season on a high note. The El Dorado, Ark., native fired a one-under 72 Wednesday finishing tied for 10th overall at 220 (74-74-72). Senior Sarah Trew finished with a career-best 228 (74-77-77) tying her for 36th place while teammates Lindsey Hinshaw (80-75-76) and Courtney Mahon (75-78-78) tied for 52nd overall with rounds of 231. The Lady’Backs faired well in the talented field all week. Second-ranked Georgia won the event while host and 10th-ranked New Mexico finished second a 881. Pepperdine, ranked 18th, was third with an 882, followed by Brigham Young at 888. Arkansas, ranked 31st in the Golfweek poll, was fifth at 890, followed by No. 5 Oklahoma State with an 891, N. 12 Texas A&M at 898 and No. 33 Texas Christian with an 899 in the 17-team field. The Lady Razorbacks return to Fayetteville preparing for the fast-approaching Jeannine McHaney Invitational in Lubbock, Texas, Sept. 24-26. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to www.ladybacks.com.
26thAnnual Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire InvitationalUNM Championship CourseAlbuquerque, NM

1 Georgia 287-299-288=874
2 New Mexico 292-296-293=881
3 Pepperdine 293-299-290=882
4 Brigham Young 296-295-297=888
5 ARKANSAS 299-296-295=890
6 Oklahoma State 299-295-297=891
7 Texas A&M 298-306-294=898
8 Baylor 299-304-296=899
9 TCU 300-308-298=906
10 UNLV 297-309-302=908
11 New Mexico State 301-309-299=909
12 Texas Tech 309-312-305=926
13 Kansas 308-312-307=927
14 Hawaii 305-313-315=933
15 Texas El Paso 307-328-302=937
T16 Northern Arizona 315-320-313=948
T16 San Diego State 322-316-310=948

Arkansas Individuals

T4 Stacy Lewis 76-70-70=216
T10 Amanda McCurdy 74-74-72=220
T36 Sarah Trew 74-77-77=228
T52 Courtney Mahon 75-78-78=231
T52 Lindsey Hinshaw 80-75-76=231