Florida’s women’s golfer Sierra Brooks has responded to her recent demotion well.
After struggling at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, California, last weekend, the sophomore transfer Brooks was moved from the top spot in Florida’s lineup down to the No. 3 spot.
This week at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship in New Orleans, Louisiana, however, Brooks leads the entire field with a score of 6 under after shooting 3 under on Monday.
“She was super patient,” coach Emily Glaser said in a release. “(She) used it to her advantage.”
Florida currently sits in first place after Day 2 of the three-day tournament.
Another player to receive a demotion in UF’s lineup was Elin Esborn. Esborn, a redshirt freshman, had an abysmal showing at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge and was moved out of the lineup completely. She was designated as an individual competitor for the Allstate Sugar Bowl, which means she competes but doesn’t count toward the team score.
Unfortunately for the No. 19 Gators, Esborn sits at fourth overall on the individual leaderboard after shooting an even par Monday, giving her an overall score of 1 under. She would be second on Florida if her score was factored into the team score.
Senior Taylor Tomlinson followed Esborn with a 4 over Monday, bringing her total up to 3 under after Day 2. She finished off her round tied for 12th place.
Sophomore Marta Perez had a solid first day, but couldn’t bring the same success in the second round of the tournament, shooting 6 over Monday for an overall score of 4 over and a tie for 16th place.
Addie Baggarly, a freshman, and Carlotta Ricolfi, a sophomore, sit tied at 42nd after Ricolfi shot 6 over and Baggarly finished with 8 over on Monday. Ricolfi was moved to the top spot on the team after a solid showing at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge but has struggled in the Allstate Sugar Bowl thus far.
Florida didn’t have as smooth a showing on Monday as it did on Sunday. It fell out of first place for a period of time, but regained the lead down the stretch. The Gators now lead the second-place USC Trojans by a stroke.
“Not our best stuff today,” Glaser said, “but we hung in there and have a chance tomorrow.”
The tournament resumes Tuesday at 9 a.m.
Follow Chris O'Brien on Twitter @THEChrisOB and contact him at cobrien@alligator.org.
Senior Taylor Tomlinson is tied for 12th after two rounds in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship in New Orleans.
