Ponce leads Montana in first 18
4/18/2022 5:36:00 PM | Golf
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Montana women's golf team concluded its first round of 18 in the Big Sky Championship, sitting tied for eighth overall, scoring 309. The Griz were one stroke away from being tied for seventh place, and five strokes away from being tied for sixth place.
Junior Jessica Ponce led the Griz, logging four birdies and shooting par to put her tied for fifth in the tournament. Ponce shot par for only the second time of her collegiate career, and the second time this season. Scoring 72 today puts Ponce in the mix of only five other players who shot even-par or better, and one stroke behind tying for fourth place overall.
"I'm really pleased with Jess's performance today. That was awesome. It couldn't have been lower. She just played solid golf all day," said head coach Kris Nord.
Kylie Esh wasn't too far behind Ponce, despite a tough finish. The senior finished the first 18 with two birdies under her belt and scored 76. Esh finished the day sitting tied for 25th overall.
Allison Sobol was the third Griz to stay in the 70s today, thanks to a pair of birdies. The Eureka, Calif., native finished the day scoring a 79 and tying for 40th overall.
Juniors Tricia Joyce and Emmy Sundby both finished the day scoring 10 over par, with Joyce registering one birdie on the day. Both Joyce and Sundby sit tied for 50th in the tournament.
Though it wasn't the performance they were hoping for on the first day, the Griz are confident they can break 300 going into the rest of the tournament.
"I really feel this is where we can break 300 if we keep it together as a team. Our goal is to go out there tomorrow and not play scared. See your target and hit your target. That's kind of what our post-round talk was about, just having faith and confidence in their swings," said Nord.
Only five teams broke 300 on the first day including Sacramento State, who currently sits in first place (286). Northern Arizona sits in second place, only two strokes behind. Weber State and Idaho sat in the 290s to finish the first round.
The Griz will be back on the Talking Stick Golf Course tomorrow to complete the second round of 18. Tee time is 8 a.m. (MT) and live scoring can be found on gogriz.com or golfstat.com.
Junior Jessica Ponce led the Griz, logging four birdies and shooting par to put her tied for fifth in the tournament. Ponce shot par for only the second time of her collegiate career, and the second time this season. Scoring 72 today puts Ponce in the mix of only five other players who shot even-par or better, and one stroke behind tying for fourth place overall.
"I'm really pleased with Jess's performance today. That was awesome. It couldn't have been lower. She just played solid golf all day," said head coach Kris Nord.
Kylie Esh wasn't too far behind Ponce, despite a tough finish. The senior finished the first 18 with two birdies under her belt and scored 76. Esh finished the day sitting tied for 25th overall.
Allison Sobol was the third Griz to stay in the 70s today, thanks to a pair of birdies. The Eureka, Calif., native finished the day scoring a 79 and tying for 40th overall.
Juniors Tricia Joyce and Emmy Sundby both finished the day scoring 10 over par, with Joyce registering one birdie on the day. Both Joyce and Sundby sit tied for 50th in the tournament.
Though it wasn't the performance they were hoping for on the first day, the Griz are confident they can break 300 going into the rest of the tournament.
"I really feel this is where we can break 300 if we keep it together as a team. Our goal is to go out there tomorrow and not play scared. See your target and hit your target. That's kind of what our post-round talk was about, just having faith and confidence in their swings," said Nord.
Only five teams broke 300 on the first day including Sacramento State, who currently sits in first place (286). Northern Arizona sits in second place, only two strokes behind. Weber State and Idaho sat in the 290s to finish the first round.
The Griz will be back on the Talking Stick Golf Course tomorrow to complete the second round of 18. Tee time is 8 a.m. (MT) and live scoring can be found on gogriz.com or golfstat.com.
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