2015 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship 3rd Round Results

ALLENDALE, Mich. — Soggy conditions Friday at The Meadows Golf Course provided for another tough day during the third round of the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship, but it also allowed Academy of Art University women's golf sophomore Crystal Wang to stay in touch with the pack heading into the final day.

Wang was one of the few players Friday who improved their score from the day before. She shot a seven-over 79 to total 235 (+19) for the tournament and sit tied for 23rd. As in the previous two rounds, Wang's day was defined by consistency and struggles on two different sides of the course. She began her day playing even on the front nine with eight pars or birdies, including a birdie on the par-four sixth. She would shoot seven-over on the back nine with five bogies and a double bogey on the par-four 15th.

"The conditions were hard today," said Academy of Art head coach Elaine Harris. :There was rain to start the day and wind throughout the round. Crystal started really well. She was confident and focused. After the ninth hole she lost some confidence in the putting green."

More than half the field – 36 of 71 golfers – shot the same or higher Friday than in Thursday's second round, grouping the field into seven different ties of three or more players between 11th and 40th place. Wang is only one stroke away from the top-20, three strokes from the top-15 and five strokes from the top-10. She trails tournament leader Brenna Moore of Midwestern (Texas) State by 14 strokes.

"After talking and working [with Crystal on] her putting after the round, I am excited to see her compete again tomorrow," said Harris. "She has played each hole on the golf course well and tomorrow is her last chance this school year to show us how good she is."

Wang is scheduled to tee off in the final round with the second group of individuals on the 10th hole at 8:45 a.m. EDT Saturday. The forecast calls for cloudy conditions, 25 percent chance of rain and 59 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures at 8 a.m.