SAINT GEORGE, Utah -- Southern Utah's Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan, the top-ranked golfer in the nation, led the way for the T-Birds today as SUU played host to two rounds on day one of the Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird at Sunbrook Golf Club in St. George, Utah on March 11. 

Yongyuan fired a two-over tally of 146 (74, 72) to tie for third after a marathon two rounds of golfing. Her best golf of the day occurred with a back-nine one-under in the first round before shooting par during the second round. Yongyuan had a consistent day with 9 birdies to go along with 17 pars during her two rounds of play.

As a squad, the T-Birds carded a 611 (308, 303) to stand in sole possession of sixth place. South Dakota State topped the day with a four-over 578 (286, 292) led by Teresa Toscano's 13-under 131 (64, 67) to lead all individuals.. 

Playing in some familiar territory as locals from St. George, the duo of Tori Thomas and Lexi Hamel tallied some strong scores of their own. Thomas marked a 153 (77, 76), including a first-round one-over front nine (37), to tie for 20th through two rounds. 

Hamel, meanwhile, notched a 154 (76, 78) just a stroke behind Thomas, including a one-over front nine during the first round. Hamel heads into day two tied for 32nd overall. 

Cornelia Karlsson, playing as an individual, turned in a 160 (81, 79) to tie for 58th on the day. She had a strong front nine during round one, shooting a two-over 38. 

Tanyatorn (Excel) Thalangkarn (84, 77) and Hannah Gleason (81, 80) each tied for 61st with two-round 161s.  

Thalangkarn improved down the stretch, cutting nearly 10 strokes from her first-round tally including a two-over back nine during the second round. 

Gleason, meanwhile, had a pair of three-over half-rounds, shooting 39s on the front nine during round one and on the back nine during round two. 

Launa Wilson, playing as an individual, shot a 164 (83, 81) to stand tied for 71st. She played her best on the back nine, shooting one-over par through holes 10-18 during round one. 

As a team, the T-Birds collected 26 birdies throughout the day.

Live stats for the event are available on www.golfstat.com.  

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Read all about the Thunderbirds on www.suutbirds.com.