LEXINGTON, Ky. — The LSU Lady Tigers were able to put together a group of birdies by freshman Vicky Meyer and junior Devon Day on the final nine holes to move up two places to finish 10th in the Southeastern Conference Women’s Golf Championships Sunday at the University Club of Kentucky.
The Lady Tigers posted a third round of 27-over 325 to finish the 54-holes at 975 (111 over par). LSU moved from 12th to 10th going past Ole Miss (+53 Sunday) and Alabama (+48 over on the day).
Scores changed constantly as 15-20 mile winds blew steadily throughout the round before giving way to showers moving in with the final groups finishing. Auburn, Tennessee and Florida all had the lead at one point or the other in the final round, before it shuffled out to give Auburn the title over Florida. Auburn finished at 39-over par 903 with Florida two shots back at 41-over par 905. Tennessee, the second round leader, finished third, eight strokes behind the winner.
Aimee Cho from Florida won the individual title at even par 216 after a final round 71 (72-73-71), preventing Kristy McPherson of South Carolina from winning the event for the third straight year. McPherson posted an 81 on the final day after leading through 36 holes and finished third at four over 220. Cho was tied for third at one-over going to the final day. Tennessee’s Violeta Retamoza remained in second place at one-over 217 after a final round 77.
Meyer, rallied back from her round of 83 on Saturday with a 3-over 75, which including four straight birdies on the second through fifth holes (her 12th through 15th of the day). She finished as LSU’s best for the tournament at 18 over par 234 (76-83-75), good enough for a tie for 22nd in her first SEC Tournament. She finished the year with the teams’ best scoring average of 76.50.
Devon Day, after two rounds of 81, finished with a six-over 78 to finish at 24-over par 240 and a tie for 33rd place. Day had her best two finishes in the final two events of the year, finishing in a tie for 18th in the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic.
“It is unusual for an LSU golf team to end its season at this point in the year not going to a regional tournament,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “This is a young team and we have a lot of work to do for next season. Vicki Meyer was a great addition for us and we have a strong recruiting class along with players who are returning that should put LSU back in good position next year.”
SEC Women’s Golf Championship
Final Team Results (Par 288-864)
1. Auburn 299-297-307 – 903 +39
2. Florida 296-296-313 – 905 +41
3. Tennessee 291-301-319 – 911 +47
4. South Carolina 295-308-311 – 914 +50
5. Vanderbilt 306-301-312 – 919 +55
6. Arkansas 297-316-312 – 925 +61
7. Georgia 299-311-327 – 937 +73
8. Kentucky 309-311-324 – 944 +80
9. Mississippi State 317-311-332 – 960 +96
10. LSU 324-326-325 – 975 +111
11. Mississippi 319-322-341 – 982 +118
12. Alabama 318-329-336 – 983 +119
Top 5 Individuals (Par 72-216)
1. Aimee Cho, Florida 72-73-71 – 216 E
2. Violeta Retamoza, Tennessee 70-70-77 – 217 +1
3. Kristy McPherson, South Carolina 68-71-81 – 220 +4
4. Sofie Andersson, Mississippi St. 73-73-76 – 222 +6
5. Lina Axelsson, Arkansas 70-76-77 – 223 +7
5. Danielle Downey, Auburn 74-74-75 – 223 +7
5. Mary Jan Fernandez, Tennessee 71-75-77 – 223 +7
LSU Scores
T22. Vicky Meyer 76-83-75 – 234 +18
T33. Devon Day 81-81-78 – 240 +24
T42. Brooke Shelton 83-75-85 – 243 +27
57. Isabel Dornellas 84-87-87 – 258 +42
60. Rachel Overstreet 95-90-99 – 284 +68