William & Mary golfer posts best 1st round in Lowcountry Intercollegiate history

William & Mary’s Alex Liu overcame a pair of early double bogeys Saturday to become the first player ever to match par in the opening round of the Lowcountry Intercollegiate women’s golf tournament, taking a one-stroke lead into the final day at Moss Creek Golf Club.

Chattanooga held a two-shot advantage in the team competition, placing four players in the top 20 on a gusty day at Moss Creek’s South course. Bethune-Cookman was next, with Appalachian State another shot back and USC Beaufort in fifth against the field of mostly NCAA Division I schools.

Vanessa Schloo posted a 4-over-par 76 as the Sand Sharks lurked just six shots behind Chattanooga, which has won five of the past six Southern Conference titles.

Liu began her round with a double bogey and carded another at the par-4 eighth that left her 3-over at the turn. But she didn’t give up another stroke to par the rest of the way, carding three birdies on the back nine to reach the clubhouse at even-par 72.

That gave her the lowest score in the tournament’s opening round since its debut seven years ago.

Chattanooga’s Cristina Perez and Appalachian State’s Joliana Elias were next after 73s, with Gardner-Webb’s Sarah Bertram and Bethune-Cookman’s Yudika Rodriguez another shot back.

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 8:39 PM with the headline "William & Mary golfer posts best 1st round in Lowcountry Intercollegiate history."