Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | 24 Hawkeyes to Watch 2016-17 | Hawk Talk Monthly — April 2017 | Team Results | Individual Leaderboard
CINCINNATI, Ohio — University of Iowa junior Jessica Ip fired a two-under-par 70 to lead the women’s golf team in the final round of the 2017 Big Ten Championships on Sunday. The Hawkeyes carded a third-round 308 (+20) — their best round of the tournament — to finish 10th overall with a three-day total of 931 (+67).
“I’m very happy for Jessica and the great round she posted today,” said UI head coach Megan Menzel. “She stayed patient all three days and was able to close out her round in an exciting fashion with an eagle on eight.”
Michigan State won the team race with a 54-hole total of 866 (+2) while No. 12 Northwestern finished second at 868 (+4).
Ip registered 15 holes at or below par in the final round. The Richmond Hill, Ontario, native carded three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole. She jumped six spots on the leaderboard to tie for 12th with a three-round total of 221 (75, 76, 70).
“Going into this last round I knew I had nothing to lose,” said Ip. “I just stayed really patient today. I was hitting it pretty well all week, but I just didn’t have the speed down with my putting. Today, more putts went in.
“I’ve played pretty consistently this spring. It’s good to know that even when I’m struggling I can shoot a respectively score. It’s definitely a confidence booster heading into these summer tournaments. Preparation for next year starts now.”
Jessie Sindlinger carded a six-over-par 78 in her final round as a Hawkeye. The senior made par or better on 11 holes. She registered four birdies, including three straight on holes one, two and three.
“Being a Hawkeye has been an amazing experience,” said Sindlinger. “I have had great opportunities and made so many memories throughout this journey. Coach (Megan) Menzel and Mike (Roters) are great coaches and I can’t thank them enough for everything they have done for me. My teammates have made my last four years one to remember, and I will miss them all.
The Charles City, Iowa, native finished her career with a 54-hole total of 233 (+17) to tie for 43rd.
“Competing in the Big Ten and playing at this level has been amazing,” Sindlinger added. “I’ll take these experiences with me going forward as I pursue my next step. I’m very grateful for the University of Iowa and all of the support from my family and friends throughout my four years. I love being a Hawkeye.”
“It has been an honor to coach Jessie for the past four years,” said Menzel. “She is a great Hawkeye and she has meant so much to our team. I’m excited for her to make the next step into coaching and teaching golf. She will be an asset wherever she goes.”
Junior Morgan Kukla and redshirt sophomore Shawn Rennegarbe each carded an 80 (+8) in the final round. Kukla made par or better on 10 holes with birdies on holes eight and 11 to finish with a three-round total of 241 (+25) and tie for 61st. Rennegarbe registered 10 holes at par or better in Sunday’s final round. She finished 73rd with a three-day total of 248 (+32).
Freshman Sophie Liu and junior Elisa Suarez rounded out the Hawkeye lineup. Liu tied for 67th with a three-round total of 243 (+27; 84, 78, 81), while Suarez tied for 77th at 251 (+35; 81, 81, 89).
“As a team, we are not happy about our performance, but we return all of our players except one and we have already started to work on a plan for the summer and next year,” Menzel said. “This group is hungry and I know they will work to get to where they want to be.”
