Women's Golf Leads After Round Two John Kirk Panther

Women's Golf Mike Holmes/Sports Communications

Women's Golf Leads After Round Two John Kirk Panther

STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. – In nearly perfect conditions, the Georgia State women's golf team shot a second-round even par 288 to take a two stroke lead into the final-round of the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate on Tuesday. The even par round is the third lowest in tournament history, but was upstaged by Campbell's 2-under par round performance.

The Panthers were led by senior Maria Palacios who stands in second-place, just one stroke off the lead with 18 holes to play.

Campbell's Kaylin Yost shot a 5-under 67 to take a one stroke lead in the final-round on Tuesday. She stands one stroke ahead of Palacios. Yost fired one of two 67s in the field on Monday which tied for the third lowest rounds in the 21-year history of the event.

Georgia State stands at 12-over par with Campbell close on the Panthers' heals at 14-over. The Camels shot the second lowest round in tournament history and became just the second team to ever break par for a round in the event. Troy is in third at 17-over, followed by Middle Tennessee in fourth at 25-over. Both schools shot impressive 1-over par 289s on Monday. Kennesaw State rounds out the top five at 30-over.

 “I thought we played really well once again today,” head coach Cathy Mant said. “I am thrilled that we enter the final-round with the lead and I know that our team will be up to the challenge of keeping it on Tuesday.

“Maria continues to play really well and I am glad to see her right at the top of the leaderboard. Lauren, Laura and Julie also had nice rounds today and I expect Melissa will finish strong on Tuesday.”

Palacios made five birdies in her round, including back-to-back on the 13th and 14th holes to stand at 2-under par following a first-round 72.

Junior Lauren Court is tied for fifth following a 1-under 71 on Monday that puts her at 2-over par through 18 holes. She opened play with birdies on two of the first three holes.

Senior Laura Sanchez and sophomore Julie Lied are tied for 16th at 6-over par. Sanchez shot a second-round 1-over 73, while Lied fired a 2-over 74 that included two birdies.

Senior Melissa Siviter rounded out the Panthers starting line-up with a second-round 80 and stands at 15-over and tied for 54th entering the final round.

Senior Solveig Helgesen along with freshmen Solene LeCoz and Jooeun Bae competed as individuals for the Panthers.

LeCoz is tied for 25th at 9-over par following a second-round 4-over 76. Bae shot 82 on Monday and is tied for 63rd at 18-over par, while Helgesen shot an 81 and is 20-over and in 71st entering the final-round.

Yost leads Palacios by one with Georgia's Amira Alexander, competing as an individual tied for third at even par with Kennesaw State's Amira Alexander. Court is tied with UALR's Sofie Kvarnstrom, Old Dominion's Gemma Fuster and Troy's Brooke Spinks for fifth.

Georgia State enters the week ranked No. 71 in the country by Golfweek. The Panthers are the third highest ranked team in the field behind only No. 58 Campbell and No. 62 Mercer.

The John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate was first played in 1993 at Northwood Country Club, the home of the Panthers until 1999. The tournament was founded by then-Georgia State golf coach Kevin Propst and assistant Kirk McQueen with extensive help and support from Northwood County Club club pro John Kirk. When John Kirk passed away after a battle with cancer, his name was added to the Panther Intercollegiate to honor his assistance and commitment to the Georgia State women's golf program.

After one year at Chateau Elan Golf Club in 2000, the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate moved to Eagle's Landing Country Club in Stockbridge, Ga. and has remained there ever since.

Georgia State and Campbell have each won the event four times. The Panthers have also had three individuals win the event, most recently Cathrine Madsen in 2010.

This will mark the Panthers final event of the regular season. Georgia State will return to the course for the Sun Belt Conference Championship at Steelwood Country Club in Loxley, Ala., April 14-16.

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