Oct. 2, 2012
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Columbia, Mo. — The University of Iowa women’s golf team finished sixth in a field of 19 teams with a three-round score of 896 (+32) at the Johnie Imes Invitational, wrapping up competition with its best 18-hole round of the season. Sophomore Lauren English led the Hawkeyes with a career best performance.
As a team, Iowa’s final round score of 293 (+5) is its first sub-300 round of the season and is tied for the fifth lowest 18-hole team mark in school history. Iowa’s three-round total of 896 (+32) is tied for the fifth lowest 54-hole team score in school history. In addition, the 36-hole score of 594 (+18) is the fourth lowest in Iowa women’s golf history.
Iowa’s five players carded a total of 13 birdies and 56 pars in the final round, with only two double bogeys on the final day.
“I am really proud of the way our team finished today,” Menzel said. “Overall it was a great team effort. We went out and played with a lot of confidence from the first day all the way through the finish of the tournament.”
English saved her best for last as she carded a 68 (-4) to tie for eighth place; the second top-10 finish of her career. English’s final round 68 is the second lowest 18-hole score in the Iowa women’s golf records book, just one stroke shy of Brianna Coopman’s 18-hole record of 67, set in 2009. English did not shoot above par on any of the holes during the final day of competition, carding 14 pars to go along with four birdies. English’s three-round score of 219 (+3) is the best 54-hole score of her career and is tied for fourth best in school history. Her 143 (+1) 36-hole score is also tied for the second lowest in school history.
“Lauren led the way today for us,” head coach Megan Menzel said. “It was an outstanding individual performance.”
Senior Kristi Cardwell struggled early in her final round of play, bogeying three of the first four holes. She turned things around and shot one-over par on her final 14 holes. Cardwell’s three-round total of 221 (+5) was good enough for a tie for 13th place.
Coming off her first career hole-in-one, sophomore Shelby Phillips posted her best round of the tournament, carding a 73 (+1). Phillips began the day shooting one-under par through the first 11 holes of play. Phillips’ three-round total of 224 (+8) tied for 20th.
Freshman Briana Midkiff shot her best round of the tournament on Tuesday, coming in with a 77 (+5). Midkiff struggled on the back nine of the course, shooting fiver over par, but handled the front nine with ease at even par. Midkiff tied for 52nd with a three-round score of 233 (+17).
Sophomore Nicole Rae finished with her best round of the fall, shooting a 76 (+4). Rae struggled out of the gates, shooting three-over par on her first two holes. She settled down and rattled off an 11-hole stretch where she shot one-under par. Rae’s three-round score of 237 (+21) tied for 63rd place.
Iowa will compete in its last tournament of the fall, beginning Oct. 13 at the Lady Northern Invitational in Florence, Ind.