Top-ranked Lady Razorbacks finish second in Schooner Fall Classic
NORMAN, Okla. – The top-ranked University of Arkansas women’s golf team rallied with a six-under 274 in the final round of the Schooner Fall Classic for a runner-up finish in the second event of the fall Monday. Arkansas, which got out to a slow start in the first round, posted rounds of 272 and 274 for 836. No. 10 Mississippi State won the tournament playing to a 22-under 818 for the victory.
“I’m really proud of how we finished,” Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. “The last two days of the tournament are indicative of how this team performs and what they are capable of. To see them really put their heads down and perform when they had to is really great.”
Junior Regina Plasencia paced Arkansas tying for seventh overall. Plasencia shot 71-66-70=207, a career-best for the Guadalajara, Mexico, native. Sophomore transfer Samantha Marks jumped up the leaderboard tying for ninth overall – her best finish as a Razorback. Marks shot 76-67-65=208.
The 16th-ranked University of Oklahoma women’s golf team finished the third and final round in 15th place.
The Sooners made tremendous strides in the round, logging an even-par 280 on the day, 11 strokes better than their second-round score and 16 strokes better than the first-round outing.
OU’s only returning starter, Alexandra Kaui, showed her leadership, carding a team best 209 (-1) in the event to finish tied for 12th place. The sophomore saved her best round for last, registering five birdies on the day for a 3-under 67.
Freshman Hannah Wood made a statement in her first collegiate tournament, finishing tied for 16th place at 210 (E). Wood registered a team-best two rounds under par for the tournament.
OU’s Ana Ruiz finished the event tied for 64th place at 220 (+10). The freshman shot a 3 over in the final round.
Sooner freshman Rylee Pedigo also saved her best round for last, carding a 2 over on the day to finish tied for 86th place at 232 (+22). Sophomore Maggie Neece followed Pedigo, finishing in 88th place at 233 (+23).
Sophomore Amanda Johnson and redshirt freshman Haley Hill both played as individuals in the event and were unattached from team scoring. Johnson shot a tournament personal best 7 over in the final round and finished in 89th place at 245 (+35). Hill also shot an event personal best at 10 over and finished in 91st place at 253 (+43).
Sixth-year OU head coach Veronique Drouin-Luttrell was elated with her team’s final-round performance.
“We’re really happy for sure,” Drouin-Luttrell said. “I’ve known for a long time that these girls had a lot of talent and to see them play like this in the final round is very exciting. They were grinding. They fought all week, and they’re good players. I just need them to believe in themselves, and I think after today’s round they will.”
The Sooners will return to the course this Friday-Sunday for the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C.
The Field: No. 11 Mississippi State 818, No. 1 Arkansas 836, No. 28 Texas A&M 838, No. 60 Kent State 842, No. 20 UCF 843, No. 39 California 844, No. 53 SMU 845, No. 111 Baylor 846, No. 32 Notre Dame 846, No. 37 Texas 855, No. 8 LSU 856, No. 46 Texas Tech 859, No. 26 FSU 862, No. 76 TCU 865, Oklahoma 867, No. 88 Texas State 875, No. 87 Clemson 875.