AUBURN, Ala. — The LSU Lady Tigers shot their best round of the tournament, an 11-over 299, but were unable to move up, finishing 10th in the final tournament of the fall, the “Derby” Invitational, sponsored by Auburn University at their University Club course.
The Tigers’ 299 put them at 917 for the 54-hole event, 53-over par. Auburn rallied to win the event by shooting a two-under 286 on the final day to finish at 15-over par 879, one shot better than Duke at 16-over 880. Duke posted a four-over 292 on the final day. Georgia was third at 28-over par 892 with Virginia at 893 and Tennessee at 894 to round out the top five.
Alexis rather for the second straight day had the best round for the Lady Tigers, posted an even par round of 72, following Saturday’s two-over 74. She finished the 54 holes at nine-over 225, good enough for a tie for 16th place. Rebecca Kuhn‘s one-over 73 on Sunday put her at 10-over 226 and a tie for 21st finish. The Lady Tigers also counted 77s from Kim Meck and Melissa Eaton to get the 11-over total.
Maria Martinez of Auburn, with a four-under 68 Sunday, won the individual competition with a three-day total of seven-under 209. Nicole Smith of Tennessee and Jenny Suh of Alabama tied for second at two-over 218.
LSU is now off until the spring portion of the schedule that includes the annual home event, the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic at the University Club in Baton Rouge, marking the 25th consecutive year the LSU women’s golf team has hosted a spring tournament.
The Derby — Auburn, Ala.
Team Results (Par 288-864)
1. Auburn 291-302-286 — 879 +15; 2. Duke 294-294-292 — 880 +16; 3. Georgia 294-305-293 — 892 +28; 4. Virginia 297-306-290 — 893 +29; 5. Tennessee 297-297-300 — 894 +30; 6. Florida 302-302-302 — 906 +42; 7. South Carolina 301-310-298 — 909 +45; 7. Oklahoma State 316-302-291 — 909 +45; 9. Alabama 310-300-302 — 912 +48; 10. LSU 308-310-299 — 917 +53; 11. Florida State 303-318-298 — 919 +55; 12. North Carolina State 315-307-302 — 927 +60; 13. Texas 308-307-314 — 929 +65; 14. Mississippi 300-320-314 — 934 +70; 15. UNC Wilmington 320-310-315 — 945 +81; 16. Kansas 317-319-311 — 947 +83; 17. West Florida 329-327-327 — 983 +119.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72-216)
1. Maria Martinez, Auburn, 69-72-68 — 209 -7; 2. Nicole Smith, Tennessee, 75-71-72 — 218 +2; 2. Jenny Suh, Alabama, 75-70-73 — 218 +2; 4. Amanda Blumenherst, Duke, 75-73-71 — 219 +3; 4. Anna Grzebien, Duke, 72-73-74 — 219 +3.
LSU Scores
T16. Alexis Rather 79-74-72 — 225 +9
T21. Rebecca Kuhn 75-78-73 — 226 +10
T44. Kim Meck 75-79-77 — 231 +15
57. Melissa Eaton 79-79-77 — 235 +19
T73. Vicky Meyer 80-80-83 — 243 +27