AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas women’s golf team, ranked No. 7, dominated the Betsy Rawls Invitational, securing an impressive 18-stroke victory at the University of Texas Golf Club. Sophomore Lauren Kim took medalist honors.
Despite challenging weather conditions, Texas managed a tournament score of 16-over-par. LSU, ranked 13th, finished second with a score of 34-over, while No. 2 Arkansas came in third at 41-over.
Texas showcased its strength by placing five players in the top 10. Lauren Kim clinched first place with a one-shot lead, finishing at 1-over-par. She made a key birdie on hole 15 and kept her cool with pars on the last three holes. Cindy Hsu finished tied for second at 2-over, and Angela Heo secured fifth place at 5-over. Farah O’Keefe also tied for sixth at 8-over. Overall, this tournament marked the third title for the Texas women’s golf team this season, following victories at the Mason Rudolph Championship and the NB3 Match Play Championship.
Next up, Texas will compete in the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate at Colonial Country Club on March 24-25.
Key Performances
Lauren Kim shone throughout the tournament, earning her first win this season and the second of her collegiate career. She finished with two birdies and shot 1-under on the final day, making her the only player under par for that round.
Cindy Hsu achieved her best finish so far, tying for second place and leading after the first 36 holes at 3-under-par. Meanwhile, Angela Heo shot even par on the last day and had two birdies, finishing fifth overall.
Farah O’Keefe, also on the leaderboard, marked her sixth top-10 finish of the season, strengthening her case for the ANNIKA Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate female golfer.
Selina Liao finished tied for 36th, contributing with a birdie in her final round.
Team Scores
- Lauren Kim: 72-74-71 (+1)
T2. Cindy Hsu: 70-71-77 (+2) - Angela Heo: 72-77-72 (+5)
T6. Farah O’Keefe: 72-75-77 (+8)
T36. Selina Liao: 79-79-77 (+19)
Coaching Insights
Head Coach Laura Ianello expressed her pride in the team’s performance: "Winning this tournament is a great achievement for us. We’ve shown consistency this season, and it’s fantastic to see the progress we’ve made. Lauren and Cindy’s strong finishes were crucial as we build our momentum going into the Colonial tournament."
As the Texas team prepares for their next competition, their recent success highlights their growing confidence. A recent survey from the NCAA revealed that strong performance in the spring season can significantly impact teams’ standings and qualifications for the national tournaments.
With such a formidable lineup, the Texas women’s golf team looks poised for great things as they continue their season, motivated by the wins and challenges ahead.
For more detailed statistics and performance insights on women’s collegiate golf, you can check out the latest NCAA reports here.
Check out this related article: Raiders Extend Home Winning Streak with Thrilling Victory Against Toledo – Wright State University Athletics
Source link