Huskers, Neisen Open Strong at Big 12 Tournament

Columbia, Mo. - Freshman Steffi Neisen fired an even-par 72 to lead Nebraska to a tie for third in the team standings after the opening round of the Big 12 Women's Golf Championship at the Club at Old Hawthorne on Friday.

"That was an exciting round," Nebraska Coach Robin Krapfl said. "Throughout the year we have shown that we are capable of putting together a great round. Now the challenge for us will be to put together another great round tomorrow."

Neisen played a solid round that included three birdies, 12 pars and three bogeys on the 6,234-yard layout of the Club at Old Hawthorne to close the day in a tie for sixth among the 60 players in the tournament. The New Prague, Minn., native is just one stroke back of five players in a tie for first at 71.

Neisen was joined in the top 15 by senior Mary Kate Bird, who added a two-over-par 74 to head into Saturday's second round in a tie for 15th place.

With Neisen and Bird leading the way, the Huskers produced a 297 on a soggy course, as the 12 teams in the championship waited out a three-hour delay because of morning rains in Columbia. Neisen, Bird and fellow Husker Madeleine Sheils also had to wait out a late-afternoon delay as players were called off the course because of lightning in the area at 4:55 p.m.

Sheils, a junior from Boise, Idaho, played one of the day's most adventuresome rounds. Her three-over-par round of 75 was anything but ordinary, as she produced just five pars on the day. Her fourth double-bogey came on her 15th hole, and put her in position for a rugged round.

However, one of NU's most experienced players bounced back with three straight birdies to close the round in a tie for 18th. Her final birdie came after the 45-minute lightning delay. She finished the day with seven birdies and a pair of bogeys. Sheils led the Huskers at last year's Big 12 Championship by tying for 11th.

"Maddie showed some real mental toughness to finish that round with three straight birdies," Krapfl said. "When you have to battle through four doubles, it can be mentally draining on you and it can take you out of your game. Maddie just fought to overcome those holes and played great golf in some other spots. She saved her round and helped put us in a good position at the end of the first day."

Junior Kayla Knopik added a tie for 30th with a four-over-par 76 to complete Nebraska's team score, while fellow junior Katie Keiser added a 77 to tie for 41st after the opening round.

Texas Tech closed the first 18 holes on top of the team standings with a 294, behind co-leader Deborah DeVilla's one-under-par 71. The Lady Raiders own a two-stroke lead over Texas, which produced a 296 behind the play of co-leader Madison Pressel's 71.

The host Missouri Tigers matched the Huskers in a tie for third at 297 on their home course. Nebraska closed the day in front of five top-50 teams, including No. 15 Iowa State, No. 27 Texas A&M, No. 28 Oklahoma, No. 31 Colorado and No. 48 Oklahoma State, in a 12-team field that featured seven top-50 teams.

The teams will hit the course for tomorrow's second round beginning at 9 a.m. Heavy rains are forecast for Columbia tonight, so the conference pushed back Saturday's tee times by one hour.

Big 12 Championships
April 22-24, 2011
The Club at Old Hawthorne (Columbia, Mo.)
Par 72, 6,234 Yards

Team Standings (First Round)

1	46 Texas Tech	+6	F	+6	294	294
2	20 Texas	+8	F	+8	296	296
T3	Nebraska	+9	F	+9	297	297
T3	Missouri	+9	F	+9	297	297
T5	27 Texas A&M	+10	F	+10	298	298
T5	28 Oklahoma	+10	F	+10	298	298
7	15 Iowa State	+12	F	+12	300	300
8	Baylor	+13	F	+13	301	301
T9	Kansas	+14	F	+14	302	302
T9	48 Oklahoma State	+14	F	+14	302	302
T9	31 Colorado	+14	F	+14	302	302
12	Kansas State	+21	F	+21	309	309