DALTON, Ga. – Little Rock tightened its grip on the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Women's Golf Championship Monday, extending its lead to 24 shots heading into the final round at Dalton Golf and Country Club.
The Trojans continued to separate from the field with a composed second-round effort, posting a 302—nine strokes better than Sunday's opening round—to move to 613 (+37) through 36 holes. With one round remaining, Little Rock sits comfortably in front of Tennessee Tech (637), followed by Morehead State (641), Lindenwood (661), Southern Indiana (664), Bryant (665), Tennessee State (682), Eastern Illinois (683) and Western Illinois (712).
After battling windy conditions in the opening round, the Trojans took advantage of calmer weather and sunny skies Monday on the 5,966-yard, par-72 layout.
"We did a really good job staying patient and letting the round come to us today," Little Rock head coach Jenna Birchsaid. "The conditions were much calmer, and I thought we handled that well by sticking to our game plan and not trying to force anything."
Little Rock's dominance has been fueled by its presence atop the individual leaderboard, where the Trojans hold the top four spots.
Junior Eleonore Aernouts continues to lead the field at +6 after a steady second-round 74, maintaining her position as the tournament's top performer heading into Tuesday.
"She's been incredibly consistent for us all year, and this week is no different," Birch said of Aernouts. "She's managing the course really well and putting herself in great positions."
She is followed closely by teammate Cloe Poizac, who sits second at +8 after carding a 76 in round two. Fehild Graeselholds third at +11 following a 77, while Iara Martin is tied for fourth at +12 after posting a 75 on Monday.
"It's been a total team effort," Birch said. "To have four players at the top of the leaderboard says a lot about how focused and prepared this group is. They're feeding off each other in a really positive way."
Elvira Flodstrom rounds out the Trojans' scoring group, sitting 17th at +19 with a second-round 79, helping Little Rock maintain its sizable cushion atop the team standings.
With a balanced lineup and four players firmly in control of the top of the leaderboard, the Trojans enter Tuesday's final round in prime position to secure another OVC title.
"We've put ourselves in a great position, but the job's not finished," Birch said. "Tomorrow is about staying locked in, one shot at a time, and finishing what we started."
