April 22, 2005

SUNRIVER, Ore. - UNLV women's golf and Elena Kurokawa remained in the lead after Friday's second round at the Mountain West Conference Championships at the Meadows Course at Sunriver Resort.

But the lead for both the Rebels and their junior leader is just one stroke heading into Saturday's final round as UNLV attempts to repeat as MWC Champions.

The Rebels began play Friday with a five-stroke lead over No. 12 New Mexico, but the Lobos chipped away the margin to get within one shot. UNLV's team score after two rounds is 593 (295-598, +25) and New Mexico's is 594 (300, 294, +26). The pursuit of the league championship has turned into a three-horse race, with Colorado State in third, seven strokes off the pace with a team total of 600 (302-298, +32). BYU is fourth at 605, San Diego sits fifth at 625 and Wyoming rounds out the field in sixth with a score of 649.

Kurokawa meanwhile shot a two-over par 73 on a day when the lowest round was an even-par 71 by Ashley Rollins of New Mexico. Kurokawa carded three birdies but also had five bogies in her round for a two-day total of 142 (69-73, E). She kept her one-stroke advantage over Rachel Newren, who also shot a two-over par 73 and is at 143 (70-73, +1) for the championships.

Hwanhee Lee and Seema Sadekar both remained in the top 10 for the Rebels after their rounds Friday. Lee is alone in sixth place after firing a four-over 75 for a two-day total of 148 (73-75, +6). Sadekar shot a three-over 74 to remain in ninth place with a total of 150 (76-74, +8).

Christine Hentzner was the fourth score the Rebels used today as she shot a five-over 76 Friday after opening the tournament with an 80. Hentzner has a two-round total of 156 (+14) and is tied for 19th. Young Pak is also tied for 19th with scores of 77 and 79 in the first two rounds of the championships.

Rounding out the top five on the leader board is Christine Fernandez of NM, Kristen Campos of CSU and Jamie Oliver of SDSU. Fernandez, who carded a three-over 74 and is at 146 (+4) for the tournament, was one of five Lobos in the top 20. Campos and Oliver are tied for fourth with two-round totals of 147 (+5).

Saturday's final round begins at 9:00 a.m. (PT) at the par-71, 6,312-yard course in Oregon and fans can follow the tournament live at www.golfstat.com.

Full results may be found by clicking here.