ERIE — Bubble trouble.
That’s the pressure-packed situation staring the Colorado women’s golf team in the face as the Buffaloes enter today’s final round of the NCAA West Regional in a logjam for a ticket to the championship tournament.
Slumping down the stretch once again, fourth-seeded Colorado settled Friday for a 13-over-par 301 at Colorado National Golf Club. The Buffs, ranked 10th nationally in the coaches poll, begin today in a tie with Illinois for ninth place at 22-over 598.
Trouble is, only the top eight teams in each of the three regionals advance to the NCAA Championship tournament this month in Franklin, Tenn. In the program’s 18 years of existence, CU’s women’s team has never qualified for an NCAA championship tournament.
Colorado trails seventh-place Pepperdine by two strokes and California by one.
“We all knew it was going to be tough,” CU senior Jess Wallace said after a second-round 75. “The other teams are good. It doesn’t matter where they’re playing, they’ll play well.”
Potentially making Colorado’s challenge more difficult is the uncertainty over the health and availability of CU’s No. 1 player, Alex Stewart. The sophomore transfer from Purdue withdrew on the 15th hole Friday due to an undisclosed illness. NCAA rules allow her to play today if she is cleared medically.
Each team counts four scores for each round among its five players.
Stewart struggled Friday in her weakened condition, standing 8-over before withdrawing.
“We need five (players),” CU coach Anne Kelly said. “There’s a lot of pressure going in as four. We will deal with (playing with four) if that happens.”
Denver, seeded No. 15, shot a 23-over 311 and begins today in 19th place at 615. Northern Colorado is in 23rd place at 324.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
