Columbia, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's golf team continues to the lead the Big 12 Women's Golf Championships following the second day at the Country Club of Missouri in Columbia. The Tigers have a one-stroke lead over defending champion Oklahoma State and a five stroke-lead over third-place Texas. The Tigers led by three strokes heading into what was a beautiful, sunny Tuesday and led by as many as six strokes during the course of the day during the second round.

"We're really pleased with the way the kids have responded to the pressure of being toward the top of the leaderboard," said Head Coach Stephanie Cooper. "We have quite a challenge in front of us tomorrow, but we also have an opportunity to do something pretty special."

The Tigers are in the best position they have ever been in following the second round of a Big 12 Tournament after shooting their best round of the spring with a 300. Freshman Denise Knaebel continued to be extremely solid on Tuesday firing a second round of 74, good for a two round total of 149 putting her in a four-way tie for second heading into Championship Day. She trails Nebraska's Sarah Sasse by only one stroke. Sophomore Mindy Bullard was also strong again with a second round of 76 and a total of 150. The rounds 74 on Monday and 76 on Tuesday are the best back-to-back rounds Bullard has put together this spring.

Senior Elin Ohlsson came in with a round of 76 on Tuesday and currently is in a tie for 12th place at 152, still within four strokes of the lead. After struggling to an opening round of 84, freshman Kelli Strubinger stormed back with a 74 in Day 2, moving into a tie for 28th. Sophomore Maria Ohlsson shot her second straight 78 of the tourney and is now in a tie for 22 with a total of 156, just six strokes out of the Top 5.

The Championship round of the 2003 Big 12 Conference Tournament will begin tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., and Mizzou will begin their quest for their first Big 12 Championship in school history at 8:50 a.m. Live scoring will be provided at www.mutigers.com or www.golfstat.com. For more information on Missouri Women's golf, log on to www.mutigers.com.

TEAM STANDINGS
Pl	Team	 1st	2nd 	3rd	Total
1	Missouri	304	300		604
2	Oklahoma State	309	296		605
3	Texas	 307	302		609
4	Nebraska	311	307		616
5	Oklahoma	314	305		619
6	Kansas State	312	310		622
7	Texas A&M	321	306		327
8	Baylor 	 321	313		634
9	Iowa State	326	312		638
10	Kansas	 325	322		647
11	Colorado	332	328		660
12	Texas Tech	329	332		661


INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
Pl	Player (School)	 1st	2nd	3rd	Tot
1	Sarah Sasse (NU)	74	74		148
2	Miranda Smith (KSU)	78	71		149
	Karin Sjodin (OSU)	77	72		149
	Denise Knaebel (MU)	75	74		149
	Christi Cano (OSU)	73	76		149
6	Mindy Bullard (MU)	74	76		150
12	Elin Ohlsson (MU)	77	76		153
22	Maria Ohlsson (MU)	78	78		156
28	Kelli Strubinger (MU)	84	74		158