Kansas golfer Yupaporn Kawinpakorn tees off on the fourth hole on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 during the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at Alvamar Golf Course. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

Kansas golfer Yupaporn Kawinpakorn tees off on the fourth hole on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 during the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at Alvamar Golf Course. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

Kansas golfer Pornvipa Sakdee watches her drive on the eighth hole on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014 during the Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational at Alvamar Golf Course. Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

All-Big 12 golfer Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn and her Kansas University teammate/fellow Thailand native Pornvipa “Faii” Sakdee trail Kansas State freshman Chandler Gallagher by one stroke after 36 holes of the Maryilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational on Monday at Alvamar.

The crowded leaderboard, which has KU’s Michelle Woods, Oral Roberts’ Alejandra Acosta and Arkansas-Little Rock’s Stina Resen just four strokes back, figures to make for an ultra-competitive final 18 holes today.

“My dad once told me, ‘If you want to kill a snake you should hit it hard until it’s dead.’ So that’s the plan tomorrow,” Kawinpakorn said with a smile.

The soft-spoken, polite golfer was referring to striking the ball with authority and confidence, of course, not physically battering her Kansas State competitors. The Jayhawks take a six-stroke lead over the rival Wildcats in the 11-team tournament heading into today’s play.

“I’m not trying to (see) what score she is playing tomorrow. I’m just going to focus on my game, and that’s it,” Kawinpakorn said.

KU has won the Smith Invitational Mook’s first two years at KU.

“I know. That’s pressure right there. Remember, ‘No pressure, no diamonds,'” Kawinpakorn said of one of the team’s mottoes a year ago when the Jayhawks advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Mook shot rounds of 74 and 69 Monday for a two-round total of 1-under 143. Sophomore Sakdee shot 70-73, while senior Woods had rounds of 75-71.

“I think we need to play our own game, focus and play shot by shot,” Mook said. “That’s all we can do. We can’t control them. We can’t control their scores. We need to play our own game and give it our best shot tomorrow.”

Noted coach Erin O’Neil, who divided the squad in five-person Crimson and Blue teams: “I think we are in good shape. We broke 300 both rounds (296-294), which I think we are always pleased with. Mook and Faii played real solid for us. We had Kallie Gonzales, who is a freshman, finish strong and shoot 76 in the afternoon (tie 23rd). Gabby DiMarco (tie 10th) played well. I think across-the-board it was a solid showing.”

The final round begins at 8:30 a.m. today.