No golfer in Epson Tour history has started a tournament better through 36 holes than Gabriela Ruffels.
The 23-year-old Australian sits at 18-under 126 after the second round of the Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes in Garden City, Kansas. Ruffels’ mark of 18 under is three shots better than any other golfer in Epson Tour history after the first two rounds, and it’s the lowest gross score by one shot.
Five golfers in Epson Tour history have shot 15 under after 36 holes, the latest being Daniela Iacobelli in the 2021 Symetra Tour Championship at LPGA International. Sue Ginter-Brooker in 2002 shot 127 after two rounds at the 2002 Hewlett Packard Garden State Futures Summer Classic at Knob Hill Golf Club in Manalapan, New Jersey.
With the final round coming Sunday, Ruffels has a chance to top the 54-hole scoring record of 19 under, which Fernanda Lira accomplished at the 2021 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship at Battle Creek Country Club in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Oops @GabiRuffels did it again
Breaking records and hearts here at #GCCharityClassic
#EpsonTour | #Road2LPGA pic.twitter.com/ojlEIB2i2j
— Epson Tour (@EpsonTour) May 6, 2023
Ruffels shot 10-under 62 in the opening round, and she followed that up with an 8-under 64 on Saturday. Her second round even included a bogey, but she also had seven birdies and an eagle.
This is Ruffels’ sixth Epson Tour start this season, which includes a victory at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic.
After the early wave in Kansas, Ruffels held a 10-shot lead over a bevy of chasers sitting at 8 under.