Acuff’s 71 Leads Women’s Golf in Round 2 of Mercer Invitational

MACON, Ga. – Senior Ari Acuff tie for the lowest round of the afternoon, a 1-under par 71, to lead the Georgia State women's golf team on Day 1 of the Mercer Invitational at the Brickyard Golf Club beginning Monday.

Acuff and Charleston Southern's Caroline Engelbredt were the only players in the field to break par during the afternoon. After an opening round 75, Acuff is tied for fifth place at 2-over par with 18 holes to play.

Georgia State shot back-to-back rounds of 302 and are in fifth place entering the final round, but just six strokes out of second place. Host Mercer leads the field at 16-over par, while Bear Tracy Rodriguez leads all individuals at 4-under par.

"Today was a long and difficult day, but we were ready for it and I think that's what helped us get off to such a strong start," head coach Jessica Steward said. "Strategically, we wanted to limit our big scores, like double bogeys and higher, and we made the second most pars out of every team in the field.

"Ari had a great day and a phenomenal second round, maybe only one of four under par rounds in the field. She's been trying to capitalize on her distance to score better on the par fives, and she was four under par today, so that's something to celebrate."

Senior Emma Berlin is also among the top 25 following rounds of 74 and 78. She enters the final day at 8-over par and tied for 22^nd.

Top 5 Teams
1. Mercer: +16
2. Georgia Southern: +22
3. Seminole State (FL): +26
4. Delaware: +27
5. Georgia State: +28

Top 5 Individuals
1. Tracy Rodriguez (Mercer): -4
2. Bailey Dunstan (Samford): -2
3. Caroline Engelbredt (Charleston Southern): -1
4. Katie Hallinan (Cincinnati): +1
t5. Ari Acuff (Georgia State): +2
t5. Ayami Takahashi (Seminole State (FL)): +2
t5. Laila Hrindova (Mercer): +2
t5. Mia Kness (Charleston Southern): +2

Georgia State Results
t5. Ari Acuff: +2 (75-71)
t22. Emma Berlin: +8 (74-78)
t34. Aubri Braecklein: +10 (76-78)
t34. Mahina Leveau: +10 (77-77)
t34. Kelly Strickland: +10 (78-76)

The Schedule: The tournament will conclude on Tuesday with 18 holes starting with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

How to Follow: Live scoring will be provided on GolfStat.com

Field: Host Mercer, Cincinnati, Charleston Southern, Delaware, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Lamar, Mercer, Samford, Seminole State, Southern Miss

Next Up: Lady Bison Bay Point Classic; Feb. 7-8; Bay Point Golf Club, Panama City, Fla.

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Players Mentioned

Emma Berlin: 5' 8"; Senior

Kelly Strickland: 5' 5"; Senior

Mahina Leveau: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Aubri Braecklein: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Emma Berlin
: 5' 8"; Senior

Kelly Strickland
: 5' 5"; Senior

Mahina Leveau
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Aubri Braecklein
: 5' 5"; Freshman