NINETY-SIX, S.C. — Facing a stiff challenge from a nationally-ranked field and brisk spring conditions, the Harding Lady Bisons sit in ninth place following the first two rounds of the Grand Harbor Classic at the Patriot Golf Club at Grand Harbor.

The Lady Bisons posted a 36-hole total of 28-over 604 on Monday. Harding opened the tournament with a 13-over 301 in the morning and followed with a 15-over 303 in the afternoon. The field played in Ninety-Six under partly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching a high of 64 degrees and steady winds from the northwest at 10-15 mph.

The 19-team field is headlined by No. 1-ranked Wingate, which leads the tournament at 2-over par. No. 7 Lander is in second at 4-over, while host Anderson (No. 3) is third at 10-over. Harding currently leads No. 33 Missouri-St. Louis by one stroke and No. 40 Emmanuel by 11.

Senior Pilar Martinez leads the Lady Bisons individually, sitting in a tie for 12th place at 2-over 146. After an opening-round 72, Martinez showed immense resilience in the afternoon. Despite a slow start to her second round, she played her final 11 holes at 3-under par. Her ball-striking was nearly flawless down the stretch, as she hit every green and fairway in regulation over her final nine holes of the day.

Junior Vivian Volion provided a major spark in the second round to help Harding maintain its top-10 position. After an opening-round 78, Volion carded a 1-over 73 in the afternoon to climb into a tie for 39th at 7-over 151.

Sydney Kincade is tied for 31st at 5-over (73-76), while Madeleine Wilson and Cooper Meyer are both tied for 80th at 17-over par.

The final round of the Grand Harbor Classic will begin Tuesday with a shotgun start at 6:30 a.m. Central Time.

Harding Individual Scores T12. Pilar Martinez: 72-74—146 (+2) T31. Sydney Kincade: 73-76—149 (+5) T39. Vivian Volion: 78-73—151 (+7) T80. Madeleine Wilson: 78-83—161 (+17) T80. Cooper Meyer: 81-80—161 (+17)

Team Leaderboard (Top 10)

1. Wingate: 289-289—578 (+2)

2. Lander: 294-286—580 (+4)

3. Anderson (SC): 294-292—586 (+10)

4. Lee: 298-291—589 (+13)

5. Lincoln Memorial: 297-293—590 (+14)

6. Erskine: 304-287—591 (+15)

7. North Georgia: 298-294—592 (+16)

8. Catawba: 291-305—596 (+20)

9. Harding: 301-303—604 (+28)

10. Missouri-St. Louis: 313-292—605 (+29)