Budnik, Kats post low score in McAllen
3/8/2016 4:34:00 PM | Women's Golf
Sam Houston State women's golfer Nicole Budnik fired a second-round 68, the lowest among the 60-player field and second-lowest round in team history to claim the top spot entering Wednesday's final round at the UTRGV Invitational from McAllen Country Club.
After shooting a first-round 80, Budnik headed into the second day in a tie for 12th at 6-over, 148. The senior holds a one-stroke lead while Sam Houston, who concluded its first round in a tie for sixth, has vaulted up to fourth at 57-over, 625.
“We talked recently about having a game plan and focusing on hitting fairways and puts per round and not thinking all about the score,” associate coach Tommy Chain said. “If you accomplish the goals the score will plan out. She made quite a few birdies. The game plan was focused on execution and not the score.”
As a team, the Bearkats trimmed 39 strokes off their first round total, helped by Sarah Black, who shot a second-round 74 and moved into a three-way tie for seventh at 11-over, 153. The sophomore improved her mark by five strokes after shooting an opening-round 79.
“The wind calmed down so she was able to make some good solid shots,” Chain said. “She had good control of the clubs. Her shot game was good. She did not make any mistakes.”
Teammate Heather Shake leaped 10 spots up the leaderboard, moving from 27th to 17th, after matching Black's second-round 74. She is 15-over, 167, after opening with an 83 on Monday. Jenna Phillips also continued the trend, shooting 77 on Tuesday, moving ahead to 42nd at 25-over, 167.
Sam Houston's second-day team score of 293 is the lowest score at the conclusion of two days. It is also the second-lowest in team history and best since equally the mark in April 2010.
“Yesterday the wind gusted up to 45 miles per hour,” Chain said. “Fortunately, today the wind calmed down. We were able to settle down and make a great comeback. We had the low team total so I was very happy to see the girls regain their composure and shoot a great round.”
Meanwhile, Budnik's success is the latest in record lows this season. In the Bearkats second fall tournament, Shake matched a program best with an opening-round 67 and finished tied for second in program lore with a three-day score of 1-under, 215.
The three-day tournament concludes on Wednesday. Sam Houston captured first in the spring opener, Feb. 14-15 at Texas State, before taking fourth two weeks ago at A&M-Corpus Christi's Islander Classic. The Bearkats are seeking their fifth top five finish in its eight in 2015-16.
Southland Conference foe Lamar leads all teams with a 39-over, 607. Wichita State is second at 43-over, 611, followed by Houston Baptist at 54-over, 622. A&M-Corpus Christi rounds out the top five at 62-over, 630.
“I want to keep them focused on getting the ball down the fairway and not thinking about the score,” Chain said. “I want the girls to stay emotionally calm and keep making good swings. You won't always hit the ball the way you want to. If you get in trouble, get out with the best score you can.”
Final round play gets underway with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Budnik begins on the No. 6 tee while Black starts on No. 7 and both Phillips and Shake begin on No. 8. Stay tuned to GoBearkats.com for the latest updates.
