OKATIE, S.C. – Xavier stayed on track in its goal of winning a record five straight BIG EAST Women’s Golf Championships by holding on to first place after Sunday’s second round, which is being played at the Callawassie Golf Club. Xavier was sparked by the play of junior Emma Welch, who set a BIG EAST Championship Record by firing a 6-under 66 with a round that included six birdies.
The winner of the BIG EAST Championship earns an automatic big to the NCAA Championship.
The Musketeers’ two-day team total of 4-over 580 is two strokes better than second-place Georgetown at 6-over 582. The Hoyas made up three strokes on Xavier with a Saturday team score of 285. Seton Hall is solidly in third place at 597 (+21). Creighton moved into fourth place (612, +36) ahead of Butler (615, +39) and St. John’s (618, +42).
Three other Musketeers are in the top 10. Kara Carter is tied for sixth at 1-over 145. Erin Kim and Madison Reemsnyder are part of a three-way tie for ninth at 5-over 149.
Georgetown’s depth has shown behind Xavier’s Welch individual excellence. The Hoyas’ Megan Gormley is in second place, three strokes behind Welch at 4-under 140. Gormley has carded a 70 in each of the first two rounds. Hoyas Georgia Ruffolo and Morgan Smith are tied for third at 1-under 143.
Others in the top 10 include Seton Hall’s Ginny Zavagli in fifth at even-par 144. Creighton’s Annie Donovan is tied for sixth with Xavier’s Carter at 1-over 145. Seton Hall’s Renee Rane is eighth at 4-over 148 and St. John’s Xuan Khue Minh Doan is tied for ninth at 5-over 149.
The third and final round begins at 8 a.m. ET on Monday. Live scoring is available on GolfStat.com. The streaming line for Golfkast Live:
https://www.gklive.tv/event/2023-big-east-conference-womens-golf-championship
Team Standings – Two Rounds
- Xavier 292-298—580 (+4)
2. Georgetown 297-285—582 (+6)
3. Seton Hall 300-297—597 (+21)
4. Creighton 308-304—612 (+36)\
5. Butler 299-316—615 (+39)
6. St. John’s 318-300—618 (+42)
Individual Leaders – Two Rounds
- Emma Welch, Xavier 71-66—137 (-7)
2. Megan Gormley, Georgetown 70-70---140 (-4)
T3. Georgia Ruffolo, Georgetown 74-69---143 (-1)
T3. Morgan Smith, Georgetown 73-70---143 (-1)
5. Ginny Zavagli, Seton Hall 70-74---144 (E)
T6. Kara Carter, Xavier 72-73—145 (+1)
T6. Annie Dawson, Creighton 74-71---145 (+1)
8. Renee Rane, Seton Hall 72-76—148 (+4)
T9. Xuan Khue Minh Doan, St. J 79-70—149 (+5)
T9. Erin Kim, Xavier 76-73—149 (+5)
T9. Madison Reemsnyder, Xavier 73-76---149 (+5)