RESULTS
GAINSEVILLE, Georgia - Making history on Monday morning,
Loa Johannsson became the first in Embry-Riddle women's golf history to tee off in an NCAA postseason event when she began play at the 2023 NCAA II South Region Tournament at Chattahoochee Golf Club. The true freshman shot an opening round 83 (+11) on the par-72, 5,922-yard course, and sits tied for 53rd after the tournament's first 18 holes.
Early morning showers soaked the entire course. Johannsson was included in the first paring of the day, and even though the downpour ceased by her tee time, the ground was still drenched with scattered puddles of water. Johannsson's morning began with back-to-back pars on the first two holes of the course, ultimately finishing the front nine with a 41 (+5). She nailed a 10-foot put on hole No. 7 to save par. On the back nine, it was once again a par to start things off for the Championsgate, Florida native en route to a 42 (+6) over the final nine holes of the day.
The Eagle rookie played the par 3s particularly well on Monday, finishing even on those four holes, including her lone birdie of the day on the 137-yard 17th. Johannsson placed her tee shot within five feet of the hole and sunk the first putt to record the below-par score.
"It was a really tough day today," said
Maria Lopez, ERAU's head coach. "It proved to be the wettest conditions we've managed this season and it really affected playability. The course received an inch of rain last night, and they've had a tough winter, and we are adjusting how to club those scenarios. The course provides zero margin for error, and that is showing us how we need to grow. Monday was a great learning opportunity and Loa battled hard and was a warrior playing with great pride. We're going to rest up, refocus, and rally tomorrow."
Johannsson will get extra time to rest as she is set to tee off in Tuesday's second round at 12 p.m. (ET).
The 2022-23 Embry-Riddle Women's Golf season is presented by Tijuana Flats.
