Stillwater, Okla. ? Kansas University sophomore Yupaporn Kawinpakorn shot a 3-under 69 Friday and is tied for seventh at the Women’s Golf Central Regional at Karsten Creek Golf Club.
As a team, KU is in 10th place after two of three rounds.
Kansas shot a 290 Friday, a 19-stroke improvement over Thursday’s opening round. At 599, the Jayhawks are just three strokes behind Mississippi State and Oklahoma State, which are tied for eighth. The top eight teams and top two individuals not on those top eight teams after today’s final 18 holes will advance to the NCAA Championship, May 20-23 at Tulsa (Okla.) Country Club.
Only UCLA (289) had a better second round. The Bruins lead the team race with a two-round 588.
“I’m very proud of the effort the team put forth today,” said Kansas coach Erin O’Neil. “They handled themselves well, made good decisions overall, and it was great to see them post a solid round on a tough championship course. Tomorrow we need to continue to play the course rather than watch the scoreboard, focus on what is in our control and see how things shake out in the end.”
Kawinpakorn has led KU both rounds and has a two-round 144 (even).
“‘Mook’ is in a great place with her game right now and seems to thrive in pressure situations,” O’Neil said. “If she sticks to her game plan tomorrow, there’s no reason why she can’t earn another top-five finish.”
Kansas’ other scores: Minami Levonowich, tied for 33rd, 149; Pornvipa Sakdee, tied for 50th, 152; Thanuttra Boonraksasat, tied for 73rd, 155; and Meghan Potee, tied for 91st, 159.
Kent State’s Wad Phaewchimplee leads with a two-round 138.