Sutton, Illinois atop leaderboard

SAVOY – Christin Sutton isn't on any team roster this weekend. But the University of Illinois sophomore definitely is on her game.

At least she was on Saturday. Competing as an individual, Sutton fired a 1-over-par 74 at the UI Blue Course to take a 1-shot lead in the Illini Spring Classic.

Bad break for the Illini? Not on this day. Sutton's teammates responded with the UI's best team score of the spring season, a 310, for a 2-shot edge on runner-up Notre Dame heading into today's final round.

"The sun came out and our scores came down, so I don't know what more you can ask for," UI coach Paula Smith said.

Illinois had not shot better than 326 in 36 previous rounds this spring. And Sutton's round was the best of her college career. In limited action this spring, her previous best round was an 85.

Among Illini who figured in the team score, four were within 5 strokes of the lead. Ashley Webb, shooting her best round of the spring, was third with a 76. Lorette Lyttle was tied for fourth at 77. Michelle Lin, carding a career-best 78, was tied for sixth. And Jillian Sitter, at 79, was tied for 12th.

"That's a good feeling to know that everybody on the team can contribute," Smith said. "I felt they played one shot at a time. That's all I was really asking of them, and not to be so concerned about the outcome."

– JEFF HUTH

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