Razorback women move up at SEC Championship

Arkansas golfer Maria Fassi smiles after finishing her round on Monday, June 19, 2017, during the local qualifier for the LPGA Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship presented by P&G at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers.

Arkansas, sparked by junior Maria Fassi, moved up two spots to third place on Thursday at the SEC Women’s Championships in Hoover, Ala.

Fassi carded a second consecutive 2-under 70 on the Legacy Course at Greystone Golf and Country Club and trails tournament leader Ainhoa Olarra of South Carolina by one shot.

The No. 3 Razorbacks had the third-best score of the day, 5 over, to reach 16 over after two rounds, two shots behind No. 1 Alabama, which backed an opening-round 2 under with a 16 over in Thursday’s windy conditions. No. 10 South Carolina will take an 8-shot lead into the third round after carding its second consecutive 3 over.

The field will be cut to eight teams and seeded for match play after today’s round.

Georgia had the day’s best round with a 2 over to move into fourth place at 20 over, followed by No. 13 Florida (23 over), No. 24 Vanderbilt (26 over) and No. 20 Auburn (31 over).

Arkansas junior Dylan Kim was 2 under for the day and in the lead at the turn before settling for a 1 over. She’s in sole possession of third place at 1 under. Senior Alana Uriell recovered from a rough start to shoot even par and move up into a tie for 23rd.

Junior Kaylee Benton had the Razorbacks’ final counting score, a 6 over that included two double bogeys on the final four holes after she made the turn at 1 under. Junior Cara Gorlei had Arkansas’ non-counting round of 8 over.