LSU sophomore Francesca Fiorellini led the Tigers on April 17 during the opening day of the Southeastern Conference women’s golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
The event is significant as it marks the start of three days of stroke play among league teams, with only the top eight advancing to match play after Sunday. LSU finished tied for 15th place after posting a team score of 16-over par 296.
Fiorellini recorded a round of 73, which included 13 pars and one birdie on the par-70 course. Senior Taylor Riley and sophomore Rocio Tejedo each shot a 74, while freshman Ryleigh Knaub added a score of 75. “We were not at our best out there (Friday),” said LSU Coach Garrett Runion. “But there are two more rounds and 36 holes to fight our way back up the standings.”
At the end of the first round, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M were tied for first place at four-under-par, just ahead of Florida, Texas, and Ole Miss at three-under-par. Arkansas was sixth at two-under-par while Mississippi State and Oklahoma shared seventh place at even par.
The course played just under two shots over par for all competitors. The Tigers’ performance was highlighted by their play on two par-5 holes—the seventh and fourteenth—where they scored five under par as a team.
Individually, Mary Miller from Ole Miss, Avery Weed from Mississippi State, and Vanessa Borovilos from Texas A&M each posted rounds of four-under-par to lead after day one. The Tigers will begin their second round off the tenth tee starting at 8 a.m., with live scoring available online.
