USC Women's Golf Advances To NCAA Final Round After Third-Round Play

Sophomore Michaela Morard carded a par 72 while sophomore Brianna Navarrosa remains in the top 20, the duo leading the No. 8 USC women's golf team in the third round of the NCAA Championships at Grayhawk G.C. on Sunday (May 22) in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Trojans are now combined 28-over 892 (298-294-300). USC, which played in the morning wave, are tied for ninth and advance to the 15-team final round on Monday.

Stanford leads the field at par, Oregon second at 9-over. All five Pac-12 teams remain in the hunt to move to the final day. The top overall eight teams after 72 holes will move to the NCAA Championships match play bracket.

Navarrosa remains USC's low player at 4-over 220 (72-73-75). She opened her round with nine pars before a double on 10 and a birdie on 11. Despite a 3-over back 9, she is still tied for 16th.

Morard has moved into a tie for 34th at 7-over 223 (76-75-72) after her par round. She turned at 1-over and was 2-over through 10, but closed the final 8 holes at 2-under, including birdies on 15 and 17.

"Today's round was a grind. I have not had my best short game this week so I have really had to focus on my speed and reads on the course," Morard said. "I have been striking it really well and just needed a couple putts to fall during my round and thankfully some did today.

"I'm really confident this team can go out and do what we need to tomorrow. We just need to really focus on good speed and good strategy during our round and if we do, the scores will show it. I'm having a great time at my first nationals, though. I wouldn't want to be here with any other team."

Freshman Xin (Cindy) Kou is tied for 63rd at 10-over 226 (76-73-77), freshman Amari Avery is tied for 75th at 12-over 228 (74-77-77) and senior Katherine Muzi is tied for 93rd at 15-over 231 (82-73-76).

USC will tee off in the final stroke play round at 11:06 a.m. PT.