AUGUSTA -- The USCB women's golf team showed its resilience Saturday, storming back with a 19-stroke improvement in the second round of the Peach Belt Conference Championships. The Sand Sharks climbed one spot on the leaderboard to sit in fourth place after 36 holes at the Forest Hills Golf Club.
The team's comeback was anchored by a standout performance from junior McLain Neal, who continued her stellar form and surged into sole possession of the individual lead. Neal carded a 2-under 70 in the second round, showcasing poise and consistency on a challenging layout.
Starting her round on the 9th hole, Neal wasted no time heating up, rolling in back-to-back birdies on 9 and 10. Despite a bogey on 14, she remained steady and rebounded with a birdie on 18 to make the turn at 2-under. A bogey-bogey stretch on holes 2 and 3 momentarily slowed her momentum, but she regained control with clutch birdies on 4 and 7, finishing the round at 2-under and positioning herself atop the leaderboard heading into Sunday's final round.
Camila Giordani turned in a 6-over 78 in round two, highlighted by a string of five consecutive pars on the front nine that helped stabilize her score. Jennifer Larsson, competing as a substitute in this round, shot a 9-over 81, while Jessica Edwards carded an 82 (+10). Florence Phan rounded out the team with an 85 (+13).
The Sand Sharks will look to carry their second-round momentum into Sunday's final round as they aim for a podium finish and a strong close to their 2024-25 season.
