When freshman Sam Wagner joined the women’s golf team, head coach Emily Glaser probably figured it would take her a couple tournaments to get in rhythm.
But Wagner didn’t just get into rhythm on her first day of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships.
She composed a masterpiece.
In just her second college tournament, the freshman sits near the top of the leaderboard, tied for second at 5-under par through 36 holes.
Wagner finished her first round at the Cherokee Country Club at 4-under, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 11th hole.
She never faltered in her second 18, making a birdie and 17 pars to finish the round with a 1-under 70.
"I thought Sam did a great job today," Glaser said in a release.
"She was sharp in the first 18, and on the second 18 she did a fantastic job of staying patient when not quite as many putts fell.
"The more she competes in this environment, the more she comfortable she will get, and it’s exciting to watch."
As a team, the No. 22 Gators ended the first two rounds at 5-over par and in 5th place out of the 14-team field.
Kent State (-6), Iowa State (-4), Tennessee (-1), and Ohio State (+4) lead the tournament.
Kent State’s Taylor Kim holds the individual lead at 6-under, followed by Wagner and N.C. State’s India Clyburn, who begin the third and final round today tied for second place.
"I thought we did a lot of things well today, but overall we made too many mistakes to be really competitive," Glaser said.
"This course can wear on you, but, with a little more patience, I know we are capable of much more."
Follow Matt Brannon on Twitter @MattB_727
Sophomore Karolina Vlckova high fives coach Emily Glaser during the final round of the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational on March 8.
