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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Palmetto Intercollegiate at Kiawah Island
Ole Miss in First Place After 18 Holes in Kiawah
10/23/2016 | Women's Golf
The Ole Miss women's golf team is on top of the leaderboard at Turtle Point Golf Course after the first 18 holes of the Palmetto Intercollegiate at Kiawah Island.
The Rebels shot 2-over par (290) to take a two-stroke lead over Chattanooga and Coastal Carolina, which are tied for second place at 292. Head coach Kory Henkes was happy to see her team play with poise on the tough South Carolina course.
"We had a good day," Henkes said. "It was great to see the team stay disciplined with their course management today. It takes a lot of strategy to get around this course where fairways are at a premium."
Senior Madisen Bentley had a terrific day for Ole Miss, going 2-under (70) to tie for first place on the individual leaderboard. She was 2-under before back-to-back bogeys on 13th and 14th holes, but she recovered with birdies on the 15th and 17th to move to the top of the Round 1 charts.
"Madisen was on cruise control all day," Henkes said. "She fights hard to the end every time she tees it up. She has really stepped it up as a senior leader on and off the course this year, and we are so appreciative of all of her hard work."
Sophomore Martina Flori was steady all day, recording 15 pars, tying for the most in the tournament thus far. The Italian is tied with junior Katy Harris for ninth at 1-over (73), and Henkes credits the successful day to a new addition in Flori's bag.
"Marti has been striking the ball really well lately," Henkes said. "She put a new putter in her hands this week and it has been a game changer for her. She has seen much more consistency with her speed."
Freshman Pi-Lillebi Hermansson eagled on the Par 5 fifth hole and finished the day 2-over par (74). The Djursholm, Sweden native tied for the tournament-low on Par 5s at 3-under. Bentley led the field in Par 4 scoring at 2-under.
"I'm proud of how much fight this team has," Bentley said. "We put ourselves in great position and look forward to keeping the momentum going into tomorrow."
The Rebels will pair with host College of Charleston and Campbell for Round 2, and they'll tee off from the 10th hole, beginning with senior Maria Toennessen at 7:30 a.m. CT.
Team Standings
1. Ole Miss: 290--290
T2. Chattanooga 292--292
T2. Coastal Carolina: 292--292
T4. Kennesaw State: 299--299
T4. College of Charleston: 299--299
T6. Campbell: 300--300
T6. Augusta: 300--300
8. Elon: 302--302
9. Daytona State College: 303--303
10. Mercer: 305--305
T11. East Tennessee State: 307--307
T11. Troy: 307--307
T13. Charleston Southern: 310--310
T13. North Florida: 310--310
15. UNCG: 312--312
16. South Florida: 313--313
17. Xavier: 314--314
18. Boston University: 315--315
19. Northern Arizona 326--326
20. Illinois State: 328--328
Ole Miss Players
T1. Madisen Bentley: 70--70
T9. Katy Harris: 73--73
T9: Martina Flori: 73--73
T18: Pi-Lillebi Hermansson: 74--74
T53: Maria Toennessen: 78--78
For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and Facebook at Ole Miss Women's Golf.
Players Mentioned
