Baylor sophomore Malena Castro shot a 1-over-par 73 in Monday’s opening round of the 22nd “Mo” Morial at Traditions Club, placing her tied for fifth as the Bears sit just five shots out of first place. The event took place on Apr. 6, with Baylor tied for sixth among sixteen teams at 18-over-par 306, while Tulsa leads after the first round with a score of 13-over-par 301.
The performance is significant as it keeps Baylor within striking distance of the lead in a competitive field that includes Missouri and third-ranked Texas A&M, both tied for second at 14-over. Texas State and Louisiana Monroe follow closely at 17-over.
“This is a challenging golf course, one that has hosted (NCAA) regional a couple times and even the national championship in 2011,” Baylor coach Jay Goble said. “Par is a great score out here, and you have to grind all day. We will stay patient and put a high value on making pars.”
Castro achieved her standing by tying for the most pars—15—in the field of eighty-four players and birdied the par-5 fifth hole. Her only bogeys came on holes four and twelve. “Malena played very solid,” Goble said. “She hit a great shot all day. But more importantly, she put the ball in positions she could score from. That’s the name of the game out here.”
Senior Bridget Boczar managed six bogeys but countered with a birdie on seven and an eagle—the only one so far—on fifteen to tie for twelfth place at three-over-par seventy-five. Charlotte Brook returned to play after two months off, carding birdies on each nine to finish tied for twenty-sixth.
Texas A&M’s Vanessa Borovilos led individually after shooting one-under seventy-one with two birdies on the back nine.
Live scoring updates will be available during Tuesday’s second round.
