TUNICA RESORTS, Miss. - Round two of the 2025 Gulf South Conference Women's Golf Championship was played under sustained winds of 22 miles per hour, with gusts up to 33 mph. However, Union University freshman Aubrey Payne remained in first place at the end of the second round.

Payne followed up her GSC Championship first-round record 68 with a second-round 78. She holds a four-shot lead over second-place Alia Scotka of West Florida. Both Payne and Scotka posted scores of +6 in the second round. 

Union's Abigail Fernandez climbed the leader board with a second-round score of 74 (+2) to sit in fourth place going into the final round. It was the second-best round on a very tough day of golf. Spring Hill's Kitrie Noe shot even part in the second round. 

Union led after the first round by one stroke. Now, Union (+49) sits four shots back of West Florida (+45). Union (+32) and West Florida (+27) scores were much higher than the +17 and +18 scores, respectively in round one. Lee (+51) is in third place, two shots behind Union. 

Brooklyn Verdugo and Olivia Carroll both sit in a tie for 18th place (+18), while Camille Burnette (+27) is in 31st. 

Union's first player will tee off at 10 a.m. Saturday morning in the final round of the championship, followed by the next four Union players in 10 minute increments.

Union will need to win the title to advance to the NCAA D2 National Championship South/Southeast Regional since the team is not ranked in the top 10. Individuals can advance to the regional round by being among the top finishers, not on an advancing team. West Florida and Lee are the only two GSC teams ranked in the region's top 10. 

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