LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Led by
Vaijayanti Bharkhada's tournament-high six birdies, the MSU Denver women's golf team stands in fourth place after the opening day of the SMSU Classic.
Bharkhada is tied for fifth individually after firing a 3-over-par 75 that included a wild eight-hole finish in which she had four birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey to go with one par.
"V had a really good round today," MSU Denver coach Stef Ferguson said. "If you take out the two big numbers (she also had a double-bogey on the front nine), she was very solid. It was fun to watch her make the six birdies. She was making some great putts and hitting close approach shots."
Isabel Botero shot 78 and is tied for 13
th, while
Neige Dunn and
Sydney Eye are both tied for 21
st at 8-over.
Playing the 5,801-yard Blue Course at the Wigwam Golf Resort for a third tournament round in five days, MSU Denver improved its team score for a second straight time with a four-player total of 25-over 313.
The Roadrunners are just four strokes behind second-place Bucknell and two behind third-place Northwest Missouri State heading into Tuesday's final round.
MSU Denver carded a tournament-high 14 birdies (no other team had more than 11) and is a tournament-best 2-under on par-5s.
Bharkhada, a tournament-best 2-under on par-4s, has at least two more birdies than any other player.
"Overall we had a more steady round, but still had a few holes that cost us quite a bit," Ferguson said. "The girls are starting to get back into form, though, so it's good to see that coming along."
