PARRISH, Fla. – The 12th-ranked LSU women’s golf teams came home in a three-way tie for fifth in the opening tournament of the spring portion of the season, the 2010 Central District Invitational at the River Wilderness Golf Club.
LSU posted a 12-over par 300 on the final day of the two-day 54-hole tournament and finished at 34-over par 898, tied with Ohio State and Texas A&M for fifth place. Florida, ranked 18th in the Golfstat rankings, had a strong tournament, firing a third-straight under-par round of 2-under to finish at 7-under 857, well ahead of second place TCU (886). Purdue was third at 889 and host Michigan State took fourth at 31-over 895, three strokes ahead of LSU.
Abby Oberthier and Megan McChrystal had the best rounds of the day two-over 74 for the Lady Tigers with Jacqueline Hedwall posting her best round in the final round of three-over 75. Tessa Teachman, who entered the day in seventh-place, shot a five-over 77 and fell back to 14th at six-over 222 (71-74-77). Oberthier finished at eight-over 224 after three very consistent rounds (75-75-74) to finish in a tie for 19th place and McChrystal was one more shot back at 225 to finish in a tie for 24th.
“We did not putt very well this tournament,” said LSU Coach Karen Bahnsen. “It was the first event but that is something we need to quickly work on to get ready for next week. Abby (Oberthier) had a great tourney. It was not a bad start but the girls know they can be better than this and I’m sure they will work hard to get ready for the next event.”
The Lendl sisters, Isabelle and Marika, tied for the individual title for Florida at four-under 212 with Isabelle winning a scorecard playoff over the final nine holes for the official title. Isabelle shot 71 on the final day while Marika shot two-under 70. Second round leader Kelli Shean of Arkansas posted a 76 on the final day and fell back to even par 216, finishing third.
The Lady Tigers will return to action next Monday and Tuesday in Valdosta, Ga., in the Kinderlou Forest Challenge, hosted by the University of Kentucky and Kennesaw State. This is a first-time event and 11 of the 12 SEC teams will be part of the field.
CENTRAL DISTRICT INVITATIONAL
PARISH, Fla.
Final Team Results (Par 288-864)
1. Florida 290-281-286 – 857 -7; 2. TCU 295-296-295 – 886 +22; 3. Purdue 295-303-291 – 889 +25; 4. Michigan State 294-313-288 – 895 +31; 5. LSU 295-303-300 – 898 +34; 5. Ohio State 302-303-293 – 898 +34; 5. Texas A&M 295-308-295 – 898 +34; 8. Arkansas 303-293-304 – 900 +36; 9. Kent State 306-299-299 – 904 +40; 10. Texas 304-302-300 – 906 +42; 11. South Carolina 301-309-305 – 915 +51; 11. Northwestern 302-310-303 – 915 +51; 13. Missouri 306-309-304 – 91 +55; 14. Notre Dame 310-308-303 – 921 +57; 15. Michigan 320-299 -304 – 923 +59.
Individual Top 5 (par 72-216)
1. (won scorecard playoff) Isabelle Lendl, Florida, 74-67-81 – 212 -4; 2. Marika Lendl, Florida, 72-70-70 – 212 -4; 3. Kelli Shean, Arkansas, 71-69-76 – 216 E; 4. Mia Piccio, Florida, 72-73-72 – 217 +1; 4. Rachel Raastad, TCU, 72-72-73 – 217 +1.
LSU Scores
T14. Tessa Teachman 71-74-77 – 222 +6
T19. Abby Oberthier 75-75-74 – 224 +8
T24. Megan McChrystal 74-77-74 – 225 +9
T39. Lindy LaBauve 75-77-77 – 229 +13
T44. Jacqueline Hedwall 76-79-75 – 230 +14