PINEHURST, N.C. – Tulsa maintained its share of the lead for the second straight day of the 2021 American Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championship at Pinehurst No. 6. A new challenger joined the fray opposite the Golden Hurricane on Monday, as host East Carolina pulled into a tie atop the leaderboard after 36 holes.
 
The average score for round two checked in at 77.14 on the par-72, 6,290-yard layout of Pinehurst No. 6. No player in the field of 50 finished under par in Monday’s second round, with just four total players navigating the layout at level par.
 
Tulsa followed up a 5-over 293 in round one with a team score of 301 (+13) in round two for a 594 total through 36 holes. Lorena Tseng continued to pace the Golden Hurricane individually for the second straight day, turning in a 2-over 74 to share third place overall at 2-over-par (72-74-146). Lilly Thomas carded a second day 75 to tie for 10th place at 149 (74-75, +5), while Taylor Dobson added a 78 to a first round 72 to post a 150 and tie for 14th place (+6). Titita Loudtraguingam was the final member of the Tulsa round two scoring with a bounce-back 74 to tie for 25th place (80-74=154, +10).
 
East Carolina vaulted three spots up the leaderboard with the best round on the course Monday, logging a team score of 296 (+8) to tie Tulsa at 594 (298-296). The Pirates were led by tournament individual pace setter Dorthea Forbrigd, the only player in the field still under par following a 72 in round two to post a 36-hole score of 143 (71-72, -1). Julie Boysen Hillestad joined Forbrigd with a 72 to leap into a share of third place at 146 (74-72, +2). Oda Sofia Kilsti (76-78=154, +10) was tied for 25th and Kathryn Carlson (77-79=156, +12) shared 29th place following round two.
 
UCF, the tournament co-leader with Tulsa after round one, closed Monday just one shot off the lead with a team second round 302 to post a 36-hole total of 595 (293-302). Tunrada Piddon (74-74) and Camille Banzet (73-75) each claimed a share of seventh place at 4-over-par 148 to lead the Knights, and Ana Laura Collado checked in tied for 10th at 149 (72-77, +5). Alyssa Lamoureux added a second-round 76 to tie for 14th place (74-76=150, +6).
 
Two-time defending champion Houston slid to fourth place with a day two round of 303 to post a 599 through 36 holes (296=303=599). Zoe Slaughter shaved two shots off her opening round with an even par 72 to share third place at 146 (74-72, +2). Anne Normann (72-78=150, +6) was among the group tied for 14th place and Karen Fredgaard (75-76=151, +7) grabbed a share of 18th place. Maria Jose Martinez checked in tied for 20th after two rounds with scores of 75-77=152 (+8).
 
USF rounded out the top-five teams with a 303 on Monday, putting together a 36-hole score of 604 (301-303). Melanie Green continued her steady play for the Bulls and moved into solo second place individually after scores of 72-73=145 (+1). Shelby Brauckmuller (74-78=152, +8) tied for 20th place, Ashley Zagers (76-77=153, +9) claimed a piece of 23rd place and Erika Smith (81-75=156, +12) joined a group in 29th place as USF scorers in round two.
 
Tee times will begin for Tuesday’s third and final round off the first and 10th tees at 8 a.m. (ET). Teams will go off in groups of two beginning with USF and SMU off the first tee and Cincinnati and Wichita State off the 10th tee. Live coverage of the final round is expected to begin at 11 a.m. (ET) on ESPN+.