UA women's golf team makes a move at UCF

SORRENTO, Fla. | The Alabama women’s golf team made a charge in round two by shooting a 1-under-287 to move up to eighth place at the UCF Challenge To Benefit Florida Children’s Hospital on Monday at the Red Tail Golf Club. The Tide sports an overall score of 5-over-581.

Top-ranked Duke vaulted to the top of the leader board thanks to a second round score of 282 (-6). A trio of Blue Devils all finished under par to help the defending champions build an eight-shot lead (564, -12) on the remainder of the 18-team field.

For Alabama, sophomore Rhea Nair continues to shine at the UCF Challenge. The Dubai native shot a 3-under-69 to vault into a tie for seventh overall. Nair has a two-round score of 4-under-140. Nair drilled three birdies and hit an eagle on the par-four-13th.

Junior Lauran Goodwin had the biggest turnaround of the round by turning in a 1-under-71. Goodwin shot a 14-over-86 in the opening round. The junior has a two-round score of 13-over-157.

Junior Kathleen Ekey shot an even-par-72 to sit in 21st place overall. Ekey has a two-round score of 1-over-145. The junior turned in three birdies on the afternoon.

Senior Sarah Sturm shot a 3-over-75 to put together a two-round score of 8-over-152. Freshman Camilla Lennarth shot a 4-over-76 to sit with a 5-over-149 after two rounds.

Courtney Harter, not scoring for the Tide, shot a 1-under-71. After two rounds the freshman sports a 6-over-150.

The second annual UCF Challenge will benefit the Florida Children’s Hospital. The medalist from the 2008 UCF Challenge will receive a sponsor’s exemption into the LPGA’s Ginn Tribute hosted by ANNIKA May 26-June 1. Final round action begins today. Live results can be found on www.golfstat.com.