The University of Arkansas women’s team will face an uphill climb trying to make the match play portion of the SEC Championships after struggling in the opening round Wednesday.
The Razorbacks shot at 18-over 306 on the 6,301-yard Legacy Course at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Ala., to land in last place in the 14-team field.
No. 19 Vanderbilt took the first-round lead with an even par round of 288, followed by No. 20 Florida, two shots behind at 2 over, No. 5 Mississippi State (4 over) and No. 3 LSU (4 over).
Nine other teams are squeezed between 5 over and 8 over. The Razorbacks are 10 shots behind 13th place Missouri.
Junior Miriam Ayora led the Razorbacks with a 3-over 75 that included an eagle on the 506-yard par-5 third hole, a birdie on No. 18, four bogeys and one double bogey.
Senior Kajal Mistry and freshman Meghan Royal both carded 4-over 76s, while senior Julia Gregg and freshman Reagan Zibilski were at 7 over.
The second round will tee off today at 8 a.m. and the field will be trimmed to eight teams for match play after the third round Friday.