Aug. 7, 2006

North Plains, Ore. – Gamecock golfer Jenna Pearson carded a six-over-par 77 and sits in a tie for 76th after the first round of the prestigious U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship played at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore.

Pearson started her day at the course’s 10th hole with the final tee time of the round. Pearson found herself at two-over through her first 13 holes and was positioned to end the round tied at No. 34. However, four successive bogeys on holes five through eight dropped Pearson from 34th to 76th with a score of six-over heading into the final hole. She hit par on the final hole of the day to keep her spot tied at No. 76.

Pearson, who qualified for the championship with a second place finish July 10 in the U.S. Women’s Amateur qualifier in Glencoe, Ill., will tee off second round action with a 9:42 a.m. PST. The low 64 scorers after Tuesday’s stroke-play round will advance to a five round match play, with the champion determined Sunday by a 36-hole final.