ROSEMONT, Ill. - All 14 Big Ten women’s golf teams will travel to Cincinnati this weekend to compete for the conference title at the 2018 Big Ten Women’s Golf Championships. The event will be held at the 6,357-yard, par-72 TPC River’s Bend.
The championships begin Friday, with first-round action beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET. Saturday’s second round will also tee off at 8:30 a.m., while Sunday’s third round will begin at 8 a.m.
The field for this year’s championships features 14 of the top 20 finishers from last season’s Big Ten Championships, including medalist Elodie Van Dievoet of Michigan. Michigan State’s Sarah Burnham, who finished second individually last season while guiding the Spartans to the team title, also returns, along with teammates Allyson Geer (4th) and Katie Sharp (T5th). Northwestern returns four players that finished among the top-20 at the 2017 championships, including Stephanie Lau (T5th), Sarah Cho (T12th), two-time Big Ten Player of the Year Hannah Kim (T12th) and Janet Mao (16th).
Iowa’s Jessica Ip finished in a 12th-place tie last season and returns to lead the Hawkeyes. Ohio State returns Jaclyn Lee (T5th) and Nikolette Schroeder (11th), while Purdue’s Micaela Farah is back after finishing in a 17th place tie at the 2017 Big Ten Championships. Wisconsin is led by Becky Klongland and Jessica Reinecke who finished tied for eighth and 17th at last year’s championships, respectively.
Six Big Ten teams are ranked among the top 50 according to the latest Golfweek/Sagarin national rankings. Northwestern leads the way at No. 10, followed by No. 11 Michigan State, No. 22 Illinois, No. 31 Purdue, No. 37 Wisconsin and No. 46 Ohio State.
Last season, Michigan State claimed the 2017 Big Ten Championship after shooting a three-round total of 2-over par 866 (298-283-285). The Spartans were followed by second-place Northwestern (868), Ohio State in third place (877), fourth-place Wisconsin (884) and Michigan in fifth place (892).
BTN will debut coverage of the Big Ten Women’s Golf Championships on Monday, April 30, at 5 p.m. ET.
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PARKING
All parking will be available in the parking lot adjacent to TPC River’s Bend Clubhouse.
LIVE SCORING
Team scores shall be determined by adding the low four scores of each team for each round. Live stats will be available at golfstat.com and bigten.org. Results of the Championships also will be posted on the main scoreboard located near the 18th green.
SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES ET)
Friday, April 20
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Range open for practice
8:30 a.m. First Round of Championships: Tee Times off #1 and #10 tees
Saturday, April 21
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Range open for practice
8:30 a.m. Second Round of Championships: Tee Times off #1 and #10 tees
Sunday, April 22
6:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Range open for practice
8:00 a.m. Final Round of Championships: Tee Times off #1 and #10
NOTE: Awards ceremony will be conducted immediately after play on the 18th hole
SPECTATORS
Spectators must remain on cart paths or in the rough and approximately 15 yards from the players at all times (including practice areas). Non-adherence may subject non-players to removal from the course by the Games Committee. There may be no communication between players and spectators during a stipulated round that could be deemed advice of any nature. Such communication violates Rule 8 of the Rules of Golf. All media and institutional personnel, with the exception of the designated coaches, are considered spectators. Ringers on all electronic devices must be turned off. Spectators must refrain from smoking near the players.