Shean Razorbacks improve

November 7, 2014

ATHENS, Ga. — University of Arkansas junior Kelli Shean moved up the leader board to a tie for fifth place leading the No. 39 Razorbacks to a fourth-place finish in the second round of the 38th Annual Liz Murphey Collegiate Golf Classic in Athens, Ga. Saturday.

Shean was even with a bogey and birdie on the front nine. She played the back nine even for a 72 paired with her first-round 78 for 150.

“It was another hard day as far as weather conditions with winds blowing around 30 miles an hour,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “It was hard but I’m really proud of this team. We’ve been faced with some adversity this year but we stepped up and did some great things out there today.”

Senior Kristin Ingram moved up as well with a two-over 74 for a 153 and she is tied for 16th overall. Freshman Victoria Vela is tied for 36th with a second-round 78 for a 157. Junior Corinna Rees is tied for 50th with a 159 (76-83) and Tiffany Phelps is tied for 61st with a 161 (82-79).

“Kristin has struggled this year and we’ve been working on some things with her game,” Estes-Taylor said. “She’s been working hard and doing really well. I think we’ve overcome a big hurdle today.

“For Kelli to shoot par in today’s conditions with 30 mile-an-hour winds,” Estes-Taylor continue, “really shows her character. It was truly a group effort today.”

Arkansas finished the day with a second-round 302 moving up one spot to fourth place after two rounds. Arkansas is 12 strokes out of the lead trailing No. 4 Duke who posted back-to-back 300s for a 600. Number 34 North Carolina is second with a 611 after a second-round 301 followed by No. 2 Auburn in third with a 612 with a second-round 302.

Arkansas is in the clubhouse with a 615 (312-303) ahead of No. 6 Alabama who is in fifth with a 618. The top 10 includes No. 9 Wake Forest with 618, No. 14 Michigan State with 620, No. 13 Purdue with 621, No. 21 Ohio State with 626 and No. 46 Georgia State with 627.

“We have one more day to finish strong,” said Estes-Taylor. “It’s supposed to be windy and rainy but we’re going to go out and put up a number and see what happens.”