ATHENS, Ga. — The ninth-ranked LSU Lady Tigers would probably have loved a better start and another round or two as the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic was decided in an 18-round shootout at the University of Georgia Golf Course Sunday after the first two rounds were cancelled by inclement weather.
LSU survived a couple of double bogeys and a quick six-over start that had them near the bottom of the 18-team field early on to finish in a tie for sixth, just six shots off the pace of tournament winner Auburn. LSU posted a 17-over 305 to finish even with host Georgia in a first and only round that saw several teams have the lead and LSU as close a tie for third late in the round.
Auburn posted the only under 300 score on the saturated UGA course at 11-over 299, three shots ahead of Kent State and Alabama at 14-over 302 with North Carolina and Ohio State ahead of LSU in a tie for fourth at 16th over par.
Tessa Teachman had the best round of the team on the one-day event with a three-over 75 to finish in a group tied for 13th in the individual competition, while Megan McChrystal and Caroline Martens got top 20 finishes with four-over 76s that gave the pair a tie for 19th finish. Amalie Valle was the other counting score with a six-over 78.
“Well, it was very interesting,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “It’s a very difficult situation when you sit around for a couple of days just hoping to get one round in. A couple of our girls weren’t feeling at their best so I’m sure that contributed a bit to the start, but the teamed stayed in the game and really battled to get us where we were so we will head to next week and hope for much better weather and the chance to play a complete tournament before SECs.”
The Lady Tigers conclude the spring portion of the season next Friday through Sunday at the Bryan National Collegiate event at the Bryan Park Golf Course in Browns Summitt, N.C. The SEC women’s golf championship is set for Blythewood, S.C., April 17-19.
Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic
Final Team Results ? Par 288
1. Auburn 299 +11; 2. Kent State 302 +14; 2. Alabama 302 +14; 4. North Carolina 304 +16; 4. Ohio State 304 +16; 6. LSU 305 +17; 6. Georgia 305 +17; 8. Virginia 306 +18; 9. Kentucky 308 +20; 9. Ole Miss 308 +20; 9. Oklahoma State 308 +20; 12. Wake Forest 308 +21; 12. Florida State 309 +21; 14. Arkansas 310 +22; 15. Michigan State 318 +30; 15. Coastal Carolina 318 +30; 17. Mississippi State 321 +33; 18. Kansas 327 +39.
Individual Top 5 (Par 72)
1. Kathleen Ekey, Alabama, 69 -3; 2. Kriby Dreher, Kent State, 70 -2; 3. In-Hong Lim, Ohio State, 72 E; 3. Candace Schepperle, Auburn, 72 E; 5. Jennie Arseneault, Virginia, 74 +2; 5. Cydney Clanton, Auburn, 74 +2; 5. Calle Nielson, Virginia, 74 +2; 5. Catherine O’Donnell, North Carolina, 74 +2; 5. Patricia Sanz, Auburn, 74 +2; 5. Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest, 74 +2; 5. Macarena Silva, Florida State, 74 +2; Kate Thomas, North Carolina, 74 +2.
LSU Scores
T13. Tessa Teachman 75 +3
T19. Megan McChrystal 76 +4
T19. Caroline Martens 76 +4
T39. Amalie Valle 78 +6
T94. Jacqueline Hedwall 87 +15