LINCOLN, Neb. – Cassidy Scantland finished strong down the stretch to post a one-over 73 in her first round of the NAIA National Championships. The round puts her in a tie for sixth and is the best round in Lady Tiger history at the NAIA Championships.

"Today was a really good round for Cassidy," said coach Brent Vernon. "Once she settled in and picked up a few pars and birdies, she hit a streak where her confidence was boosted and she was on her game."
 

The weather conditions were perfect for the first wave of golfers this morning. Scantland teed off at 9:20 a.m. CT and the wind that has been moving through Lincoln was quieted until the final three holes.

 

Scantland struggled out of the gate, as many freshman would in their first round at the big show. After putting two bogeys on the scorecard in the first three holes, Scantland seemed to let the nerves get in the way.

 

Scantland missed the fairways with multiple drives and her lag putting hurt her in the opening few holes. But that quickly went in the other direction after one small change.

 

Vernon, who is in his second season at the helm of the Lady Tigers isn't one to get in the way of his golfers while playing a round.

 

"Cassidy got herself here," said Vernon. "I was there with a few reads on putts throughout the year but she doesn't need the push to get going in the right direction. Today we made a slight change and Jaime (Vernon's wife playing assistant coach) helped tremendously getting Cassidy to stop thinking so much."

 

The change came after the third hole, when the two Vernons switched rolls. Jaime started to walk the course between shots with Scantland and Brent drove the cart and was there during each shot to talk about strategy.

 

It doesn't seem like a big deal, but that made a huge difference after Scantland struggled initially.

 

"I wasn't really worried through the first few holes," said Scantland. "I have come out slow at the start so many times that I do not think too much into it. When Jaime started walking with me between holes, my nerves started to calm down. We didn't talk about golf or strategy during that time and I was able to have fun and play the game like I know how."

 

And play the game she did. Scantland hit a hot streak on No. 18 and No. 1, picking up two consecutive birdies. The birdie on No. 18 was a tap in after barely missing her 20-foot eagle try.

 

But No. 1 is where the best shot of the day came. After hitting her drive into the fairway bunker, Scantland had a steep lip to get the ball over but stuck her shot 10 feet past the hole and sank her birdie putt down the slope.

 

Scantland would then drop a shots on the par-three second and eighth holes. On the second hole, Scantland hit her tee shot just on the right fringe and left her chip shot well short of the flag, giving her a lenghty par putt, settling for bogey.

 

On the eighth hole, Scantland's tee shot also went wayward and was stuck behind a tree. Her attempted punch shot missed 20 yards right of the green and she was unable to get up-and-down for par.

 

The birdie chances kept coming though, Scantland finished the final eight holes with four birdie opportunities and making one, on the par three-fourth hole.

 

Scantland finished with four birdies and five bogeys overall but two of those high numbers came within the first three holes. She also finished with nine pars and three of those she Scantland was able to get up-and-down, making lengthy par saving putts.

 

The Vernons were trying to take all the credit after the round but Scantland stepped in quickly.

 

Scantland said jokingly: "You all may have helped but at the end of the day, I was the one who hit the ball around the golf course!"

 

Tomorrow's round will be flipped from today. Tee time is scheduled for 2:50 p.m. CT at Wilderness Ridge Golf Club. Scantland will be paired again with Point Park's Karina Palmberg and Johnson and Wales' Paige Moffat.

 

You can follow all the action live on Golf Stat, HERE. And also, live video will be provided on holes No. 9 and No. 18, HERE!

 

As always, follow @CvilleTigers on Twitter and Campbellsville Tigers on Facebook for live in-round updates and behind the scene diaries at the NAIA Women's Golf National Tournament.

 

Diary will be posted tonight after Champions Fun Center and dinner.