The Gators entered Monday’s first and second round of the Briar’s Creek Invitational as a top-25 team for the first time this season.
Leaving Gainesville with an increased confidence level, the team traveled to Johns Island, South Carolina, with the mindset of accomplishing something they have yet to do this season – win a tournament.
Multiple rounds of golf were only expected on Day 1, as the teams used a shotgun start to begin 36 continuous holes.
However, both days will feature more than 18 holes as Round 2 was suspended.
After Monday’s 6-over-par performance, the Gators will head into the final day of the tournament in a great position to accomplish what they set out for.
They are in first place in the leaderboards, leaving the coach satisfied with the results.
"I’m really happy with the fight we showed today," coach Emily Glaser said in a release. "We saw all the elements -- the cold, wind and rain, plus being out there all day for almost 36 holes, it was a grind. You had to be tough to score well today."
Three golfers finished in the top-10, led by a career day from sophomore Kelly Grassel - the transfer from Michigan State, who set a school record for lowest scoring average by a freshman while with the Spartans.
Grassel finished the first round with a season best three-under-par, the lowest score of any Florida golfer all year, with birdies on Holes 1, 5, 7, 8 and 9.
The sophomore was able to carry her Round 1 performance to the next, finishing holes 4 through 15 at one-under par, with a birdie on Hole 14.
After Day 1, she has a cumulative score of 4-under-par and the number one spot on the individual leaderboard.
Grassel wasn’t the only sophomore leading the way for Florida, as Karolina Vlckova was able to turn in one of the better performances of her young career.
Vlckova trumped her last performance, finishing with an even first round score of 72, before shooting a 3-over-par on holes 4 through 15 before play was suspended in the second round.
She is in a tie for eighth place with freshman teammate Taylor Tomlinson and four others.
While the sophomores performed at a high level, Tomlinson, who was recognized as the SEC Freshman Golfer of the Week, proved worthy of the selection.
Tomlinson finished the first round 1-over-par with four birdies in the round.
With seven holes remaining before completion of round 2, Tomlinson needs three birdies to match her season best of seven through two rounds.
Teams will tee off at 8 a.m. today, where they will conclude round 2 and begin the third and final round of the tournament.
"The goal is to finish strong and come ready to compete," Glaser said. "The course should be score-able, they won’t change the pins, and the greens are receptive. It will be a fun finish."
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Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.
