by LUBBOCK, Texas – Gabby Barker (Shoshone/Paiute) paced Texas Tech over the first 36 holes of the Bruzzy Challenge Monday as she combined to shoot 7-over-par to push the Red Raiders into eighth place at the Maridoe Golf Club.
Barker was a consistent presence over both rounds for the Red Raiders, who bounced back from a difficult opening round to record a 15-over 303 card in the afternoon session. Tech closed the two rounds at 39-over, just 10 strokes from the top three.
Texas A&M claimed the opening-day lead as the Aggies were 15-over for the two rounds, four strokes better than second-place Iowa State. Houston (+29), BYU (+30) and TCU (+31) rounded out the top five while Missouri (+32) and San Diego State (+34) are both narrowly in front of the Red Raiders entering Tuesday’s third and final round.
Tech will need to duplicate its second-round performance Tuesday as the Red Raiders had four of their five players at 5-over or better during the afternoon. Lauren Mason led the group with a 2-over card followed by Barker at 3-over and both Mami Yamamoto and Amy Taylor at 5-over.
Barker closed the day at 7-over for the tournament, pushing the senior into a tie for 15th individually. She is three shots better than both Mason and Yamamoto, who combined to shoot 10-over each to sit in a tie for 33rd overall.
Taylor, meanwhile, is in a tie for 50th place after finishing 14-over during the two rounds. Louisa Brunt added a combined 18-over card to close out Tech’s lineup as she heads into the final 18 holes in a tie for 66th overall.
