ATHENS, Ga. — The ninth-ranked LSU women’s golf team made it two consecutive second place finishes Sunday, concluding another strong performance in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic at the University of Georgia Golf Course.
This marked the second consecutive year in which the Tigers were second in this particular tournament. LSU entered the Liz Murphy off a second place finish in the Lady Gamecock Classic three weeks ago.
LSU’s next action shifts home to Baton Rouge when the Lady Tigers host the new LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation beginning on Friday at the University Club.
LSU posted a nine-over 301 on the final day despite inclement weather which would cancel the final round of the PGA Tour stop in nearby Atlanta. The 54-hole total of 16-over par 892 equals the eighth-lowest total score ever shot by the LSU women’s golf team.
Duke, the nation’s top ranked team, made it a wire-to-wire victory finishing the 54-holes at one-under par 875. LSU finished ahead of host Georgia (899), Wake Forest (905) and Auburn (909) which rounded out the top five.
LSU senior Lisette Lee of Kenner, who won her second collegiate tournament in her last start at South Carolina, finished second with a 54-hole total of 3-under par 216 on the par-73 layout. Lee had rounds of 70-72-74, and finished three shots behind Beth Bauer of Duke who won the event with a 6-under par 213. Bauer also shot 74 on the final day.
Lee’s 216 aggregate total ties for the fifth best individual total in LSU women’s golf history.
Shreveport’s Meredith Duncan keeps adding top 10s to her season total, making it three straight and five for the year with a six-place finish at 2-over par 221. The sophomore posted rounds of 76-72-73.
Also posting counting scores for the Tigers were Tina Howard, the sophomore from New Zealand, who finished in 21st spot with a 227 (74-76-77) and Katy Wilkinson, the junior from South Bend, who finished one shot back at 228 in 22nd spot (77-74-77).
For the weekend, LSU counted no score worse than a four-over 77 for its team total.
“I am very pleased with the team’s performance,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. ” We are in a really good position going into our event next week and we think we can really make a strong run at winning that event. We have been so close, the last two tournaments, against very good programs. The girls have worked very hard and it is really showing.”
Admission for the LSU/Cleveland Classic beginning on Friday will be free. Tee times will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic
Athens, Ga.
Final Team Results (Par 292-876)
1. Duke 291-282-302 — 875 -1: 2. LSU 297-294-301 — 892 +16; 3. Georgia 300-301-298 — 899 +23; 4. Wake Forest 301-302-302 — 905 +29; 5. Auburn 299-302-309 — 909 +33; 6. South Carolina 310-302-310 — 922 +46; 7. Tennessee 300-313-314 — 927 +51; 8. Texas 300-309-320 — 929 +53; 8. Furman 316-304-309 — 929 +53; 10. North Carolina 312-302-316 — 930 +54; 11. Alabama 309-304-323 — 936 +60; 12. Ohio State 311-314-313 — 938 +62; 13. Tulane 313-310-316 — 939 +63; 14. Ole Miss 310-314-324 — 948 +72; 15. Indiana 316-309-324 — 949 +73; 16. Arkansas 317-310-323 — 950 +74; 17. Kentucky 320-317-337 — 974 +98.
Individual Results (Par 73-219)
1. Beth Bauer, Duke, 67-72-74 — 213 -6; 2. Lisette Lee, LSU, 70-72-74 — 216 -3; 3. Maria-Garcia Estrada, Duke, 75-68-74 — 217 -2; 4. Danielle Downey, Auburn, 70-17-78 — 219 E; 5. Angela Jerman, Georgia, 70-75-75 — 220 +1.
LSU Results
2. Lisette Lee 70-72-74 — 216 -3
t6. Meredith Duncan 76-27-73 — 221 +2
21. Tina Howard 74-76-77 — 227 +8
t22. Katy Wilkinson 77-74-77 — 228 +9
t52. Lindy Hitdlebaugh 78-81-79 — 238 +19
t88. Rebecca Barrow 87-81-88 — 256 +37