Huskers in Thick of Big Ten Title Race

Maineville, Ohio - Nebraska got solid scores from its top five golfers to stay squarely in the thick of the title hunt after the opening round at the Big Ten Women's Golf Championship on Friday.

Megan Whittaker got the Big Red off to a great start by sinking three early birdie putts on the first eight holes and closed the front nine at 34 (-2). The junior from Elkhorn, Neb., was back at three-under through 11 holes but took three bogeys on the final seven holes to finish at even-par 72 playing out of the No. 5 spot in Nebraska's lineup.

Kate Smith matched Whittaker for Nebraska's best round of the day with an even-par 72 of her own, playing both the front and back at even. Smith, a senior…