Cowgirl Golf Hoping to Ride Momentum into Puerto Rico

STILLWATER - After a fourth-place finish at the UCF Challenge thanks to an all-time great third round from the Cowgirls, the Oklahoma State women's golf team will travel to Puerto Rico looking to ride the wave of momentum gained from the final round in Orlando.

"We were proud of the way they finished the tournament, especially having all five scores par or better in the last round," Cowgirl head coach Greg Robertson said. "The hope is to continue that momentum and confidence that they built in the last round of the tournament."

The final round of the UCF Challenge consisted of four Cowgirls tying or setting a new career-low round score, which ultimately led to the Cowgirls shooting the second-best round in program history at 14-under par.

One of the Cowgirls who matched her career-low round twice during the event is Lianna Bailey. Two 68's and a career-best 54-hole score of 209 vaulted Bailey into a second-place finish. She is hoping to continue playing solid golf and be in the running for another top-5 finish in Puerto Rico.

"I'd like to think I am going to challenge this week," Bailey said. "I am in good form and have been playing good golf, so we will see what happens. You can only take each shot as it comes, but I am looking forward to another good week."

Bailey will be joined by Hailey Jones who also collected a top-5 finish in the UCF Challenge, Isabella Fierro, Han-Hsuan Yu and highly-anticipated freshman, Maja Stark. Junior Emma Whitaker will play the event as an individual, as well.

Stark, a freshman from Sweden, arrived at Karsten Creek over winter break, and will be making her Cowgirl debut in Puerto Rico. Ranked the No. 9 amateur in the world by the WAGR, the newest member of the Cowgirls has a chance to make her presence felt in her first collegiate event.

"I think if she goes out and plays her golf game, then I think she will be one of the best players in the field," Robertson said. "I wouldn't be shocked if she went out there and contended. From a talent and ranking aspect, she is as good or better than just about anyone there."

As the team heads to Puerto Rico as the highest ranked team in the field, expectations and excitement is high for the Cowgirls.

"In my mind, I have always said that the true test of what a great team is if anybody in your lineup can win a golf tournament," Robertson said. "When you have five players at par or better shooting 14-under as a team, I think that shows what the capabilities are for this team. Then adding the No. 9 player in the world that we didn't have for the last tournament, we are looking forward to seeing what we have."

The Cowgirls tee off Sunday morning at 6 a.m. CT and you can follow the rounds on GolfStat.com.

Lady Puerto Rico Classic
Host: Purdue
Dates: Feb. 9-11, 2020
Site: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Course: Rio Mar Beach Resort
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,164
Format 18-18-18; 5-count-4
Cowgirl Golf Stat/Notes
Live Scoring: GolfStat.com

The Cowgirls
1. Lianna Bailey
2. Hailey Jones
3. Han-Hsuan Yu
4. Maja Stark
5. Isabella Fierro
IND. Emma Whitaker

The Field
Augusta
East Carolina
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa State
Kentucky (21)
Maryland
NC State
Nebraska
Northwestern
Oklahoma State (15)
Purdue
TCU
Texas Tech (26)
Virginia Tech (22)

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Lianna Bailey

Isabella Fierro

Hailey Jones

Maja Stark

Emma Whitaker

Han-Hsuan Yu

Oklahoma State University Athletics