May 17, 2007

SAN MARCOS, Calif. - After being tied through the first two rounds of play at the 2007 NAIA Women's Golf National Championship, two-time defending champion Oklahoma City created some separation for itself Thursday by shooting a 307 to open up a 12-stroke lead heading into the final round play. The 23-team tournament is being played at the Lake San Marcos Country Club.

The Stars and 2004 champion British Columbia were deadlocked at 624 at the start of the day. While OCU put together its best round of the tournament for a 3-round total of 931, UBC finished with a 324 to slip into third place with a 948. Meanwhile, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) moved up from fourth place to second place (943) with a 311 today and is just 12 strokes behind Oklahoma City. British Columbia trails OCU by 17 strokes.

Oklahoma City was paced by Toni Pyrum's even-par 72 (37-35) today as all four Stars posted scores of 80 or better. Tamara Campbell fired a 77 (37-40), and Sydney Cox posted a 78 (36-42). Christina Cung rounded out the OCU board with an 80 (42-38).

Bethel (Ind.) climbed from sixth to fourth with 953 after shooting a 316 today. Rocky Mountain (Mont.), which entered the day in third just 7 strokes off the pace, finished with a 326 to fall into eighth with a 957.

Krista Burton of Lindsey Wilson shot a one-over par 73 to assume the individual lead with a 3-round total of 221 (74-74-73). Yesterday's leader Shanna Page of Bethel (Ind.) slipped into second with a 3-over 75 and trails by just one with a 222 (72-75-75). Angela Gauck of Marian (Ind.) shot a 3-over 75 to force a tie for third with Jennifer Butler of Southern Nazarene (Okla.), who shot a 4-over 76 today. Both Gauck (79-74-75) and Butler (75-77-75) are at 288.

Kaitlin Troop of British Columbia is fifth (75-73-82) with 230.

Final round play begins Friday at 8 a.m. The 72-hole tournament is hosted by Cal State San Marcos and the San Diego International Sports Council and concludes tomorrow.