MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Mercer University women’s golf team will head into the final day of the GolfWeek Program Challenge in fourth place after carding a 15-over 299 despite tough conditions at the Caledonia Golf and Fish Club on Monday.

The Bears’ two-round total of 592 is just behind second-place Morehead State (588) and third-place Old Dominion (589). Mercer leads fifth-place Elon by seven strokes.

Freshman Mary Janiga was the breakout performer for the Bears on Monday. Janiga battled back from a rough start, using a strong finish to move up 18 places and into a tie for seventh after the second round of play. After finishing 2-over on the first nine, she closed the round with four birdies during a five-hole stretch to wrap up the day with a 1-under 70. 

Four of Mercer’s players are within striking distance of a top-10 finish, led by Janiga in seventh overall. Jaelyn Tindal is just two strokes out of 10th, while Marin Hanna and Payton Schanen are three and four shots shy, respectively.

The Bears are in position for their best three-round total in over three seasons, when the team carded a score of 883 en route to Ocala Spring Invitational title in 2013.