Bradley University Athletics

Payne Stewart Memorial On Tap For Women’s Golf

Josh Schwam

Live Scoring

Women's Golf 9/10/2021 2:00:00 PM

PEORIA, Ill. -- After a strong showing at the Redbird Invitational to open the 2021-22 season, Bradley Women's Golf makes the first of back-to-back trips to the state of Missouri with the Braves heading to Springfield, Mo., for the Payne Stewart Memorial Monday and Tuesday.

Bradley was the top finisher among eight Missouri Valley Conference teams at the Redbird Invitational earlier this week in Normal, Ill., with the Braves finishing fifth in the 16-team field.

Payne Stewart Memorial host Missouri State was one of two Valley schools not participating in the Redbird Invitational and is one of three MVC teams competing in this year's Payne Stewart Memorial along with Drake. The 14-team field also includes Austin Peay, Cal Baptist, Drury, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Oklahoma City, Oral Roberts, Tarleton State, UTEP, Western Illinois and Wichita State.

Action at the par-71 Twin Oaks Country Club begins Monday with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start to the first 36 holes. Tuesday's final round will also feature an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. BradleyBraves.com will provide links to the Birdiefire live scoring for all three rounds.

While making its first appearance in the Payne Stewart Memorial since 2013-14, Bradley is certainly no stranger to the event. In fact, the Braves have played in the Payne Stewart Memorial 10 times and have played in a regular-season tournament in Springfield, Mo., 14 different years. Bradley claimed the Payne Stewart Memorial team title in 2000-01 and again in 2002-03 with the Braves finishing in the top five of the Payne Stewart Memorial field eight of the previous 10 times participating in the event.

Freshman Maria Perakis and senior Megan Welch tied for ninth at the Redbird Invitational to lead the Braves in the season opener. Perakis fired the lowest 54-hole score in a season opener for a Bradley freshman with a five-over 221, while Welch matched her for the lowest 54-hole score of her collegiate career. Opening her Bradley career with a one-under 71, Perakis followed up her debut with rounds of 77 and 73. After a pair of 74's on the first day of the Redbird Invitational Sunday, Welch fired a final round 73 and has shot 75 or better in six of her last 10 rounds (76.7 per round) dating back to last season.

Junior Mara Flaherty sandwiched a pair of two-over 74's around a 76 at the Redbird Invitational as she matched her low round (74) from the 2020-21 season. Flaherty tied for 25th at the Redbird Invitational (226) to miss a top-20 finish by two shots.

Freshman Kathryn McNease had a solid outing in her debut, capping her first collegiate event with a three-over 75 to tie for 48th overall at 230.

Senior Elyse Emerzian is schedule make her season debut at the Payne Stewart Memorial after ranking second on the team in stroke average last year at 78.45.

Bradley follows up the Payne Stewart Memorial with a week off from competition, before playing Sept. 27-29 at the Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, Mo.

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