COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Drake University women's golf team teed off its second tournament of the season at the Johnie Imes Invitational on Monday, Sept. 26. The tournament was hosted at the Club at Hawthorne (Par 72/6,264 yards). Following one round, Drake is 12th out of the 15-team field after shooting 311 (+23) as a team. The Bulldogs ended the day as one of the top performing teams in par 3's shooting three over and tied for second in birdies with a total of seven. 
 
"I was proud of our players for sticking it out after a tough start on a very difficult course," head coach Steve Smith said. 
 
Junior Aayushi Sarkar scored a team-low 74 (+2) through 18 holes. Sarkar puts herself in contention to make moves towards the leaderboard only five strokes out of first place. Sarkar finished the day strong by sinking back-to-back birdies on holes 15 and 16 to shoot a 36 on the back nine. She finished the first round with two birdies and 12 pars.
 
Freshman Rylee Heryford 76 (+4) knocked in a team-high four birdies on the day including birdies on holes 15, 16, and 18. Heryford's 76 matches her collegiate career-low for a single round. Kristen Giles finished with a score of 80 (+8) with two birdies while freshmen Amber Henson and Erika Holmberg shot an 81 and 88 respectively.
 
Tournament host Mizzou is in the lead with a team score of 290 (+2) today. The Tigers had three players shoot a 73 or lower with Emily Staples leading the way for Mizzou with a one under performance.
 
The second round begins with tee times at 8 a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 27).