Albuquerque, N.M. – The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) women’s golf team remains in fifth place after a lightning storm forced officials to suspend the second round of the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational on Monday night. The Miners were through the 14‑16 hole stretch of the round when the weather interruption occurred.
Current standings
UTEP sits at +9 over par, one stroke behind Montana State (+8) and two strokes behind the leaders. UNLV and Pepperdine share the top spot at –7 through the same 14‑16 holes, while host New Mexico holds third at –6.
Individual performances
Leading the Miners, sophomore Luciana Origel is tied for fifth overall at –2. Freshman Taline Kyoumjian sits tied for 15th at +1, Camila De Echavarri is tied for 18th at +2, Blanca Yrizar is tied for 58th at +10, and Atikan Cherdchoo is tied for 66th at +12. Independent competitor Essi Ekholm, playing as an individual, also shares the 66th‑place tie at +12.
Round two to resume
The tournament schedule will shift to accommodate the weather delay. Round two will restart at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Time on Tuesday, with the field moving directly into the third and final round afterward.
Top of the leaderboard
Pepperdine’s Kylee Choi leads the field at –8 through 15 holes. New Mexico’s Ava Cepeda follows in second place at –6 through 14 holes. UNLV’s Kuree Little and Pin Hsi Chen are tied for third at –3 through 15 holes.
Where to follow the action
Live scoring for the tournament is available at the official scoreboard. Fans can track each team’s progress as the competition resumes on Tuesday morning.
About the event
The Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational is part of the Mountain West Conference schedule and is held annually at the University of New Mexico Championship Course, a par‑72 layout measuring 6,354 yards. The tournament provides a key early‑season test for regional programs and showcases the depth of women’s collegiate golf in the Southwest.
Looking ahead
UTEP’s women’s golf squad will aim to improve its standing in the final round, hoping to climb the leaderboard and finish the tournament stronger than the current fifth‑place position. The Miners’ coaching staff emphasized the importance of staying focused after the weather delay and highlighted the solid play of Origel and her teammates as a foundation for a competitive finish.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
