Van Dievoet's Career Best Keeps U-M Third at B1G Championships

Saturday, April 23

Indianapolis, Ind.

8:30 AM

Michigan

Big Ten Championships

Van Dievoet's Career Best Keeps U-M Third at B1G Championships

4/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf

April 23, 2016

Women's Golf
Elodie Van Dievoet

» Michigan followed yesterday's (Friday, April 22) 285 (-3) with an even-par 288 second-round team total to maintain its third-place position at the B1G Championships.
» Playing her final 14 holes four under, freshman Elodie Van Dievoet posted a career-best 71 (-1) in the second round
» Sophomore Megan Kim followed her opening 69 (-3) with a 70 (-2) in the second round and is tied for second individually. She is just two shots back of B1G leader Brooke Ferrell of Wisconsin.
» U-M will play in the final grouping along with B1G leader Northwestern (570, -6) and Ohio State (572, -4).

• Photo Gallery | Championships Central

Site: Indianapolis, Ind.
Course: The Fort Golf Course (par 72, 6,221 yards)
Tournament: B1G Championships (Round 2)
U-M Team Standing: 3rd Place of 14 Teams (285-288/573, -3) after Day 2
Top U-M Individual: Megan Kim, t-2nd (69-70/139, -5)
Final Round: Sunday, April 24 -- at B1G Championships (Indianapolis, Ind.), 9:12 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- With sophomore Megan Kim's two-under 70 helping her stay in medalist contention and a career-best 71 (-1) from freshman Elodie Van Dievoet, the University of Michigan women's golf team posted an even-par 288 team total today (Saturday, April 23) and remained third, as well as in striking distance of the tournament leaders, at the Big Ten Championships being held at the Fort Golf Course.

"We had another solid team round today," said U-M head coach Jan Dowling. "It was really fun to watch our players compete out there. We have put ourselves in contention, and we are excited to be in the final pairing tomorrow.

Looking to keep the momentum going after yesterday's (Friday, April 22) opening 285 (-3), Van Dievoet highlighted U-M's second day carding a career-best 71 (-1) and setting the pace for the Wolverines as they tallied an even-par 288 to remain third with a three-under 573 two-day total. U-M will be featured in the final pairing as the Maize and Blue is three shots back of Northwestern (284-286/570, -6) and one shot behind Ohio State (291-281/572, -4).

"Sunday's round is going to be a barn burner, for sure," added Dowling. "Plenty of teams are within striking distance, and there could likely be many lead changes. We have to focus on our own games and stay present to shoot the lowest score we can. It's going to be an awesome experience. We cannot wait."

Despite a bogey on the third hole followed with a double on the fourth, Van Dievoet found herself three over after four. However, she made a few putts and built confidence as she played her final 14 holes at four under -- thanks to four birdies and 10 pars. Her rally helped her produced a career-best 71 (-1) as well as her first sub-par collegiate round. She is tied for 46th at 149 (78-71).

"I'm am so, so proud of Elodie," said Dowling. "This is her first conference tournament and her first round under par as a Wolverine. That's always a fun accomplishment, and we are so glad she's gaining experience. She stayed patient out there all day. Her ball striking is impressive, and she had a ton of short irons into the greens today. The ball started rolling in for her, and I could see her getting more and more comfortable out there."

Van Dievoet's early success seemed to spread to the team as Kim continued her strong play in her second Big Ten event. She fired her second straight sub-par round of the tournament, a two-under 70, to stay within striking distance of tournament leader Brooke Ferrell of Wisconsin (65-72/137, -7).

Kim made her opening turn at one under as back-to-back birdies on Nos. 4 and 5 carried her during the first nine holes. Two more birdies on Nos. 10 and 12, put her in second alone with six holes to go. After five straight pars, she recorded with her second bogey of the round but maintained a two-under tally. With her five-under 139 total (69-70), she is just two shots back of the individual lead.

"Overall, I played solid today," said Kim. "I am striking the ball really well and feel confident with my putter. The wind picked up towards the end of the round, which made that one shot at a time mentally extremely important. If we keep having that attitude we are going to have a great day tomorrow."

"Megan is just so mentally solid right now," said Dowling. "She is taking one shot at a time and capitalizing on her birdie opportunities. She is putting well, and this course suites her nicely from tee to green. She is such a great competitor, and we are all very excited for the many opportunities we have tomorrow."

Adding to U-M's even day was sophomore Emily White, who used 13 pars and two birdies to card a one-over 73 to post U-M's third-best tally of the day. She is now tied for 34th at 147 (74-73).

Senior Catherine Peters and junior Grace Choi followed White with rounds of 74. After Choi's opening 70 (-2), she is among the top 20 as her 144 (70-74) puts her tied for 16th. Peters gives U-M three among the top 30 as she is tied for 29th at 146 (72-74). Sophomore Kathy Lim rounds out the Wolverines starting six as she is tied for 79th at 158 (77-81).

Team Standings (After Day 2 of 3)

 1. Northwestern     284-286 = 570 (-6) 2. Ohio State       291-281 = 572 3. MICHIGAN         285-288 = 573 4. Purdue           283-291 = 574 5. Penn State       288-288 = 576 6. Illinois         285-293 = 578    Michigan State   292-286 = 578 8. Indiana          286-293 = 579    Wisconsin        289-290 = 57910. Minnesota        297-287 = 58411. Rutgers          287-298 = 58512. Iowa             292-295 = 58713. Nebraska         298-299 = 59714. Maryland         304-303 = 607

Top Individuals

 1. Brooke Ferrell, Wisconsin       65-72 = 137 (-7) 2. MEGAN KIM, U-M                  69-70 = 139    Emily Mills, Rutgers            67-72 = 139    Sarah Burnham, Michigan State   70-69 = 139    Stephanie Lau, Northwestern     69-70 = 139 6. August Kim, Purdue              69-71 = 140    Lauren Waller, Penn State       70-70 = 140 8. Katja Pogacar, Ohio State       69-72 = 141    Jessica Porvasnik, Ohio State   71-70 = 141

Other Michigan Individuals

T16. Grace Choi           70-74 = 144T29. Catherine Peters     72-74 = 146T34. Emily White          74-73 = 147T46. Elodie Van Dievoet   78-71 = 149T79. Kathy Lim            77-81 = 158

• Day 1 Results

Communications Contact: Tom Wywrot