LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Fighting Irish women’s golf team is in second place after one round of play at the 2018 Bettie Lou Evan Invitational as Notre Dame turned in an opening round 291 (+3) at the University Club of Kentucky’s Big Blue Course (par 72, 5,947 yards).
Senior Emma Albrecht, last year’s co-medalist at the event, shot a two-under par 70 to lead the Irish in Friday’s first round. She had three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 13th to highlight her day and is in third place. Albrecht now has two eagles on the 2018-19 season.
Senior Maddie Rose Hamilton and sophomore Abby Heck each carded even par 72’s for the Irish. The duo each had 14 pars, two birdies and two bogeys in the opening round of play.
Freshman Claire Albrecht also scored for the Irish with a 77, while senior Isabella DiLisio shot an 82. Junior Mia Ayer totaled a 75 playing as an individual.
The Irish will be paired with first place Kentucky (280) and third place Middle Tennessee State (295) on Saturday, with their tee times beginning at 10:30 a.m. Last season Notre Dame won the Bettie Lou Evans Invitational by four strokes.
| 2 | Notre Dame | 291 | 291 |
| T3 | Emma Albrecht (1) | 70 | 70 |
| T7 | Abby Heck (2) | 72 | 72 |
| T7 | Maddie Rose Hamilton (4) | 72 | 72 |
| T41 | Claire Albrecht (5) | 77 | 77 |
| T67 | Isabella DiLisio (3) | 82 | 82 |
Rounds 2-3
Dates: October 6-7, 2018
Format: 18 holes per day
Tee Times: Round two will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday. On Sunday, the final round will begin at 9 a.m. ET with a shotgun start.
Location: Lexington, Kentucky
Course (Par/Yardage): Big Blue Course (par 72; 5,947 yards)
The Field (12): Akron, Columbia, Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee State, Indianapolis, Kentucky, Memphis, Middle Tennessee State, Notre Dame, Penn State, Toledo and Western Kentucky.
Notre Dame Lineup: Emma Albrecht (1), Abby Heck (2), Isabella DiLisio (3), Maddie Rose Hamilton (4), Claire Albrecht (5). Mia Ayer is playing as an individual entrant.
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
Twitter: @NDwomensGolf
Irish In The Bettie Lou Evans Invitational Records Book
- Kentucky has won the tournament 11 times. Among this year’s participants, Notre Dame won the tournament last season and Memphis claimed the title in 2006.
- UK’s Grace Rose (senior last season) and Notre Dame’s Emma Albrecht (senior this season) tied for last year’s individual championship and set the 54-hole tournament record with scores of 211.
- Notre Dame holds the tournament record 54-hole score of 872 in 2017.
- The 18-hole team record also belongs to Notre Dame, which shot a 284 in the first round of last year’s tournament.
— ND —