Georgia State freshman Iliska Verwey shot a three-under par 69 to complete first round action in first overall as the 30th-ranked Panthers lead the Unlimited Potential/Myrtle Beach Classic by four strokes in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Verwey holds a two-stroke lead at Grand Dunes Resort Golf Club, a par-72 6,136-yard course, after the freshman scored the lowest round of the season in the team's second event on an afternoon the entire Georgia State team played well. 

All four Georgia State players who scored rank in the top-20 of the tournament that features 84 individual competitors.  In addition to Verwey who holds first, sophomore Cathrine Madsen and junior Claire Starkie sit in a tie for seventh at even par (72), while redshirt freshman Sandra Maier is tied for 18 after posting a two-over par 74 in her second collegiate tournament. 

Redshirt junior Anna Scott posted a three-over par 75, normally a very strong round, but her score was not used in the best-four-of-five collegiate tournament format.  Her 75 was the second lowest score ever dropped by a Georgia State team.  Scott is currently tied for 24th.

As a team, the Panthers shot a 287 (-1), the third-lowest round in team history, to take a four stroke lead over a competitive field that features eight teams from the nation's top-75 ranked squads.  East Carolina posted a first-day score of 291 and Colonial Athletic Association foes UNC-Wilmington and Old Dominion sit in fifth (299) and 10th (308) respectively.

“We played a remarkable round today and Iliska [Verwey] showed her ability to score low,” said Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant.  “She has tremendous skill and is in a position to win her first event in only her second week of collegiate competition, which is amazing.  As a team we set out to improve our par-five scoring after being 12-over par on the par fives last week and today we were well under par on those.  We just have to keep playing well and maintain the lead.”

Verwey's grandfather, Bobby, won the 1991 Senior British Open Championship and had one PGA Tour win in his career.

The Panthers will complete the second round of the 36-hole event tomorrow.  Results can be found at GeorgiaStateSports.com following the day's action.

Georgia State Round One Scores

Georgia State University:

Iliska Verwey: -3, 69, 1st

Cathrine Madsen: E, 72, T-7th

Claire Starkie: E, 72, T-7th

Sandra Maier: +2, 74, T-18th

Anna Scott: +3, 75, T-25th