ROCHESTER &045; It didn’t much matter that the Albert Lea Tigers missed the cut in the opening round of the Section 1AA Girls’ Golf Tournament.

They’re advancing almost the entire squad anyway.

The Tigers, two places and 15 strokes away from advancing as a team, had four of their six players among the top 12 individuals at Rochester’s Northern Hills Golf Club Thursday, earning them a spot in Tuesday’s final round.

The Tigers had 393 strokes as a team which, according to coach Gina Eppen, is very respectable.

&uot;Northern Hills is a difficult course, and the last time we were there we shot 425,&uot; said Eppen.

&uot;A 393 is awesome for us. They had some tricky pin placements today.&uot;

Brie Woitas handled them the best, shooting a season-best 93 to lead the Tigers. Kari Nelson was right behind at 94. Hayley Westney and Amie Hartman both shot 103.

Playing their final round of the year for the Tigers were Shawna Mummert with a 109 and Catie Rebelein with a 111.

Red Wing had a commanding lead after the opening 18 holes, with 330 strokes to 357 for second-place Austin. Faribault claimed the eighth and final spot to advance, with 378. Waseca was ninth with 392.

Three individuals shot 79 Thursday, two of them from Red Wing.

While Eppen said it’s not impossible, it would take a superlative round for any of the Tigers to reach the state tournament.

The final round of the section is Tuesday at The Summit, a new course near Cannon Falls.