Strand, Takahashi Lead Huskers at Landfall

Kelli Ann Strand and Miu Takahashi both shot even par to lead the Nebraska women's golf team in the opening round of the Landfall Tradition at Wilmington, N.C., on Friday.

Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, and Takahashi, a junior from Nasu-machi, Japan, both carded rounds of 72 on the 6,194-yard layout at the Country Club of Landfall.  Strand was two-under through 13 holes with birdies on No. 6 and 13 to go with 11 pars, before closing her round at even par. Takahashi played the back nine with a birdie on No. 10 and eight consecutive pars to finish her first 18 holes tied with Strand in 26th.

The two Huskers are five strokes back of individual leaders Anna Morgan (Furman) and Michelle Cox (Penn State), who both recorded rounds of 67 (-5) on Friday.

As a team, Nebraska enters Saturday's second round in 11th place in an 18-team field that features 16 top-100 teams, including the Big Red. The No. 59 Huskers closed the round at 293 (+5), one shot ahead of No. 13 Purdue (294), four shots in front of No. 56 Furman and No. 58 NC State (297) and 12 shots ahead of No. 33 Maryland (305). 

Nine of the 10 teams in front of Nebraska in the team standings are ranked among the top 50 in the country, including the first-round leaders from No. 29 Michigan State (279), No. 14 UCF (284), No. 16 Clemson (285), No. 19 Duke (286) and No. 25 Arizona (288).

Senior Michaela Vavrova put up Nebraska's third-best round of the day with a 74 (+2), while Lena Hassert and Arden Louchheim added rounds of 75 (+3).

The Huskers will be back in action on Saturday beginning with tee times at 7:30 a.m. (CT). Live scoring from Golfstat will be available on Huskers.com.

Landfall Tradition
Oct. 27-29, 2023
Country Club of Landfall (Wilmington, N.C.)
Par 72, 6,194 Yards

Team Standings (First Round)
1. (29) Michigan State - 279 (-9)
2. (14) UCF - 284 (-4)
T3. (16) Clemson - 285 (-3)
T3. (75) Illinois - 285 (-3)
5. (19) Duke - 286 (-2)
6. (25) Arizona - 288 (E)
7. (47) Tennessee - 290 (+2)
8. (35) Alabama - 291 (+3)
T9. (38) Virginia Tech - 292 (+4)
T9. (30) SMU - 292 (+4)
11. (59) Nebraska - 293 (+5)
T12. (13) Purdue - 294 (+6)
T12. Penn State - 294 (+6)
T14. (56) Furman - 297 (+9)
T14. (58) NC State - 297 (+9)
T16. (93) East Carolina - 299 (+11)
T16. UNC Wilmington - 299 (+11)
18. (33) Maryland - 305 (+17)

Individual Standings (First Round)
T1. Anna Morgan, Furman - 67 (-5)
T1. Michelle Cox, Penn State - 67 (-5)
T3. Brooke Biermann, Michigan State - 68 (-4)
T3. Savannah Grewel, Clemson - 68 (-4)
T3. Paula Balanzategui, Michigan State - 68 (-4)
T6. Isabel Sy, Illinois - 69 (-3)
T6. Pimpisa Sisutham, UCF - 69 (-3)
T6. Andie Smith, Duke - 69 (-3)
T9. Ellie Szeryk, SMU - 70 (-2)
T9. Morgan Ketchum, Virginia Tech - 70 (-2)
T9. Pimmada Wongthanivomok, Arizona - 70 (-2)
T9. Erica Lee, Illinois - 70 (-2)
T9. Tess Davenport, SMU - 70 (-2)
T9. Tunrada Piddon, UCF - 70 (-2)
T9. Annabelle Pancake, Clemson - 70 (-2)
T9. Momo Sugiyama, Purdue - 70 (-2)

Nebraska Individuals
T26. Kelli Ann Strand - 72 (E)
T26. Miu Takahashi - 72 (E)
T42. Michaela Vavrova - 74 (+2)
T55. Lena Hassert - 75 (+3)
T55. Arden Louchheim - 75 (+3)