May 23, 2012
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - Stanford improved by five strokes on its second round score card but remains in 24th place at the halfway point of the NCAA Championships being held at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn.
The Cardinal shot a 304 on Tuesday and is now at 613 (+37) for the tournament, 42 strokes behind first place Alabama.
The Crimson Tide is at 571 (-5) after 36 holes and enjoy an 11-stroke lead over UCLA, North Carolina and Virginia, which are tied for second place at 585.
Arizona State and South Carolina are tied for fifth at 585 (+7).
Alabama's Brooke Pancake leads the field after 36 holes at 138 after carding a second round 71. She enjoys a two-stroke lead over Giulia Molinaro of Arizona State, who is at 140 (-4).
South Carolina's Katie Burnett turned in the low round of the day, finishing with a 67 to move into a three-way tie for third place at 141.
A total of 15 golfers are within six strokes of the lead at the halfway point of the tournament.
Stanford's Mariko Tumangan followed her opening round 71 with a 75 today and is tied for 25th at 146 (+2). Tumangan was five over on her round after 13 holes only to birdie four of her last six holes, including three in a row through 13-14-15, to finish with a 75.
Sally Watson shot a 76 on Tuesday, two srokes better than her opening round 78, and currently is tied for 89th at 154. After opening with five straight pars, Watson bogeyed the par-4 15th hole, her sixth hole of the day, and then doubled the par-3 16th. She battled back to pick up birdies on her eighth and ninth holes but could not offset three bogeys on the backside.
Sophomore Marissa Mar is tied for 108th at 156 after shooting a 76 on Wednesday.
Kristina Wong is in 124th place at 163 (+19) after turning in a second round 83.
Stanford will tee off at 7:33 a.m. ET on Thursday and will be grouped with Ohio State and Tennessee.