WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A strong showing over the final six holes allowed the Williams women's golf team to complete the first round of the Williams Invitational in second place with a 20-over 304, seven strokes behind Middlebury and one ahead of Amherst. Senior Natalie Cheong paced the team with a 3-over 74 for the day, leaving her tied for fifth with five other entrants and three strokes off the pace set by Bates' Rebecca Kriegsman.
A dozen holes into the round and the Ephs found themselves at 21-over par. But the team found their stroke as rain started to settle over the course, shaving a stroke off that score with seven birdies amongst the five golfers, two coming from Cheong on her final three holes.Â
Senior Emma Abramson had eight pars and six bogeys on her first 14 holes before dropping two birdies and two pars to boost herself to a 4-over 75 into a tie for 11th. And junior Michelle Ding had three birdies in her round, the last two coming over her final five holes, tying for 21st with a 6-over 77. Both first-year Sadie Wu (7-over 78) and sophomore Zoe Wynn (9-over 80) collected a birdie in their final six holes as well to finish 24th and tied for 33rd, respectively.
"It was great to have a strong finish overall, and we stayed focused throughout the round," Williams Head Coach Tomas Adalssteinson said following the round. "But we also know we can do better, and we're looking to show just that tomorrow."
Williams also entered another team with its four remaining players on the roster. Senior Maryanne Grace led the group with a 5-over 76 with a pair of birdies on her back nine, leaving her tied for 14th. First-year Petra Yee also had two birdies, plus sank one of the three eagles on the course today while carding an 11-over 82.
The final round of the Williams Invitational will tee off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday with a shotgun start.
