The University of Minnesota women's golf team opened the Big Ten Championships with rounds of 317 and 310 to sit in eighth place after 36-holes with a team score of 627 (+43). The Golden Gophers, who at one time during the day were tied for as high as fourth place, were ninth after the first round. Ohio State is leading the event with a score of 21-over-par 605, followed by Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana each tied for second place with scores of 620 (+36). The Big Ten Championships are being held at the par 73, 6,053-yard Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City, Iowa.
Leading the Golden Gophers is sophomore Terra Petsinger (Arvilla, N.D./Larimore). She fired two rounds of 2-over-par 75 to sit tied for sixth place at 150 (+4). Petsinger's second round included an eagle on the par-5 18. Senior Karyn Stordahl (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna) shot two consecutive rounds of 77 (+4) to place 12th at 8-over 154. Freshman Sarah Butler (Roseau, Minn./Roseau) made the biggest improvement for Minnesota on the day. After opening with an 85 (+12), she came back with a 3-over 76 to move to a tie for 36th place at 161 (+15). Junior Katie Jacobson (Grand Forks, N.D./Montana) is tied for 39th place after carding 80-82-162 (+16). Senior Kirstin Whalen (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) is 60th at 23-over 169, while freshman Jessica Thomas (Esko, Minn./Esko) is in 66th place at 187 (+41).
The Big Ten Championships will continue Apr. 26-27, with 18-holes being played each day.
Team Scores - Day One Big Ten Championships Par 73, 6,053-yard Finkbine Golf Course 1. Ohio State 302-303-605 (+21) 2. Indiana 311-309-620 (+36) Michigan 313-307-620 (+36) Wisconsin 309-311-620 (+36) 5. Penn State 312-309-621 (+37) 6. Illinois 309-315-624 (+40) 7. Michigan State 307-318-625 (+41) 8. Minnesota 317-310-627 (+43) 9. Purdue 312-317-629 (+45) 10. Northwestern 319-314-633 (+49) Iowa 323-310-633 (+49)
Golden Gopher Scores T6. Terra Petsinger 75-75-150 (+4) 12. Karyn Stordahl 77-77-154 (+8) T36. Sarah Butler 85-76-161 (+15) T39. Katie Jacobson 80-82-162 (+16) 60. Kirstin Whalen 85-84-169 (+23) 66. Jessica Thomas 96-91-187 (+41)
