Top collegiate golfers play strong at Achasta

DAHLONEGA -- Low scores was the story of the day during the second round of the inaugural Hooters Women's Collegiate Team Championship, as seven schools sit within four shots of the lead heading into Thursday's final round at Achasta, By Reynolds.

The second round better ball, stroke play format proved to be ideal for Cheyenne Woods and Michelle Shin from Wake Forest who carded the low round of the day with a 10-under-par 62. Following the pair's even par opening round, Woods/Shin shot up the leaderboard and sit just one stroke off the lead at 10-under-par for the championship.

"Today we got to be more aggressive and go for birdies," Woods said following the round. "We got to do things we normally wouldn't do in stroke play."

The University of Virginia's Brittany Altimore and Elizabeth Brightwell made their move on Wednesday with seven birdies and an eagle on the par 5 fourth hole to card a 9-under-par 63 and move to 10-under-par for the tournament.

The lead is still held by the duo from Alabama as Brooke Pancake and Jennifer Kirby looked to head into Thursday with a two shot advantage, but a bogey on the 18th hole created a log jam at the top of the leaderboard as the pair recorded a 7-under-par 65 and sit at 11-under-par for the championship. Pancake/Kirby are just one shot clear of Woods/Shin from Wake Forest, and Virginia's Altimore/Brightwell heading into Thursday's final round.

Ashland University's Annie Miles and Erin Misheff continued to pull away in the race for the NCAA Division II low score in the championship as the pair shot 4-under-par on the front nine on their way to a 5-under-par 67. While sitting in a tie for 13th place overall at 2-under-par for the tournament, they are also 10 shots clear of the nearest DII competitor, as Tarlton State University is 8-over-par for the championship.

"We are used to playing regular stroke play," Misheff said after walking off the 18th green. "This format has been fun, and it's been great to play with the DI teams to show the talent at the DII level."

In the Division III/NAIA competition, SCAD's Nikki Stewart and Mary-Michael Burns took the lead after a second round 5-under-par 67 that put the pair three shots clear of DePauw's Taylor Ashton and Kelly Gaughan.

Thursday's final round of the Hooters Women's Collegiate Team Championship Presented by the National Golf Coaches Association will feature groups teeing off starting at 8:00 a.m., with the tournament leaders reaching the first tee at 9:57 a.m. with an aggregate score format.