Alabama Women’s Golf Takes Command on Day Two of NCAA Athens Regional

The No. 3-ranked Alabama women’s golf team fired a 4-under par 284 to move out to five-shot lead at the 2017 NCAA Athens Regional on Tuesday at the par-72, 6,344-yard University of Georgia Golf Course.

The Crimson Tide (289-284/573) will enter Wednesday’s final round at 3-under par, five shots ahead of second place Baylor (296-282/578), which sits at 2-over par after a 6-under par second round performance. First round leader Michigan State (284-297/581) is in third place at 5-over par. Clemson (304-282/586) is fourth at 10-over par. Northwestern (293-295/588) and Tennessee (297-291/588) are tied for fifth at 12-over par. The top six teams at the Athens Regional will advance to the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships, May 19-24 at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill.

Sophomore Lauren Stephenson (69-70/139) was again the low individual for the Tide on Tuesday with a 2-under par 70 to move into sole possession of second place, one shot off the lead at 5-under par. Sophomore Cheyenne Knight (71-71/142) moved into a tie for sixth place at 2-under par. Freshman Kristen Gillman (73-70/143) is tied for ninth at 1-under par. Senior Mia Landegren (76-73/149) is tied for 34^th at 5-over par. Junior Lakareber Abe (80-74/154) is tied for 64^th at 10-over par.

“We were very consistent and steady today,” head coach Mic Potter said. “Having all five players in it all day was the key. Lauren, Kristen and Cheyenne all shot under par, and led us as they have all year. Mia and Lakareber also had solid performances. We came here with one goal in mind and that was to do everything we could to win the tournament. We now have a chance to do that.”

In addition to qualifying for its 13^th NCAA tournament, and 12^th in a row under Mic Potter, a win on Wednesday would give Alabama its third regional championship in the last seven seasons. The Crimson Tide previously won the East regionals in 2011 at Daytona Beach, Fla. and 2013 at Auburn.

Alabama will be paired with Baylor and Michigan State in Wednesday’s final round and will tee off beginning at 8:12 a.m. (CT).