Arkansas climbs to top of Landfall Tradition leaderboard

WILMINGTON, N.C. (Oct. 27, 2018) – Arkansas surged to the top of the leaderboard in the second round of the Landfall Tradition on Saturday and will take the lead into Sunday’s final round. Rain had caused the suspension of Friday’s first round, and Arkansas returned Saturday morning to finish its final holes in just 2 over. The Razorbacks were the only team to then post a second-round score under par.

After rounds of 12-over 300 and 3-under 285, Arkansas is 9 over and leads South Carolina by six. The Razorbacks are still looking for the first fall title. Last season, of course, Arkansas won seven times. Head coach Shauna Estes Taylor has put together four different lineups in four fall events. In Wilmington, the team is without senior leader Maria Fassi, who is competing in the LPGA’s Q-Series in Pinehurst, N.C.

Fellow seniors Dylan Kim and Kaylee Benton are leading the charge. Both are tied for third at even par. Individually, Maryland’s Virunpat Olankitkunchai leads at 3 under.

“I’m really proud of our fight today,” Estes Taylor said. “Yesterday was a tough condition day and we had to work to stay in it and be patient. We did a nice job through the elements. Today it’s windy and cold but we kept giving ourselves chances. We made some really good putts and stayed together. I love to see that – I love to see the fight in this group.”

First-round leader Wake Forest topped down the leaderboard on Saturday, falling from first to a tie for 10th. The Demon Deacons were 18 over in the second round. Duke, who started the day in second, also fell but not as far. A 9-over 297 in the second round left the team in fourth.

Information from Arkansas Athletics used in this report