MSU’s Tait Among Leaders Following Opening Day of GCU Invitational

Saturday, March 11

Phoenix, AZ

Montana State University

Grand Canyon Invitational

Jaylee Tait

MSU’s Tait Among Leaders Following Opening Day of GCU Invitational

3/11/2017 8:34:00 PM | Women's Golf

Individual Results Team Scores

Jaylee Tait shot two straight rounds of 1-over-par to sit in a tie for sixth heading into the final day of action in Phoenix

By: Andrew Pedersen

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Montana State junior Jaylee Tait sits five shots off the individual lead and is atop the Bobcats' lineup after the first two rounds of the Grand Canyon Invitational at the GCU Golf Course on Saturday, March 11.

Tait shot consecutive 1-over-par rounds of 73 and is tied for sixth overall with her first-day 146. The junior leads MSU, which is in seventh in the team standings with a total stroke count of 628 (314-314). Portland State (581) leads the team standings and is followed by Seattle (595).

Freshman Delaney Elliott is tied for 23rd with her 10-over 154 (81-73) after the opening rounds of the GCU meet. She moved up 13 spots on the individual leaderboard with her second-round performance.

"I'm super happy with Jaylee's scores today," Montana State head coach Brittany Basye said. "She's playing real consistent, she's sticking to her game plan, making putts and has managed the course well. I'm proud of how Delaney came back after her first round of 81 to come back with a 73."

Senior Janelle Reali and freshman Kelly Hooper are both tied for 41st at 164 strokes. Reali shot consecutive rounds of 81 and 83, while Hooper fired a 79 in the first round to equal out Reali's output. Freshman Coral Schulz also completed play Saturday by notching a 176 (89-87).

"We just need to figure out when game A isn't working, how to adjust to game B," Basye said. "We all need to work on that. There's some short game stuff we need to work on, but overall I saw some good things. We dig ourselves a hole and it's too hard to get out of one on a course like this.

"I think the girls will go out tomorrow and get back into it. I hope they play consistent and finish with a good team score. It's still early in the season. I see some good things and I just see some stuff we're rusty on. We need to keep practicing some different things and dedicate some more time to those things that we need to work harder on."

The Bobcats complete action at the GCU Invitational with one round of 18 holes. Competition on the GCU golf course is set to start with a 9 a.m. MDT shotgun start.