Miranda Notches Top 5 Finish at Chattanooga Classic

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Junior Paula Miranda fired a four-under par 67 to lead the University of Iowa women’s golf team at the Chattanooga Classic on Tuesday at Council Fire Golf Club. Miranda finished the tournament in a tie for fifth place.

The Mexico native had six birdies, including five over her final nine holes, to climb 10 spots on the individual leaderboard. She finished the tournament with a one-under par 212 (75-70-67), notching her best finish of the season and the third top 10 showing of her career.

Miranda finished in the red in back-to-back rounds to finish the event. They were her eighth and ninth rounds at or below par this season.

Sophomore Madison Dabagia and freshman Ximena Benites both carded one-over par 72s during Tuesday’s final round. Dabagia had four birdies over her final 18 holes, moving into a tie for 27th place with a 222 (75-75-72), while Benites’ 72 came with four birdies. She tied for 31st with a 223 (79-72-72).

As a team, Iowa shaved four shots off its score from round two to round three, finishing with an 882 (306-290-286) total. The Hawkeyes’ final round 286 was the third-best round of the day, helping the team finish seventh among the field of 16 teams.

Michigan claimed the team title, finishing six shots ahead of Western Kentucky with a 54-hole total of 855. The Wolverines’ Monet Chun was the medalist, finishing with a tournament record 10-under par 203 (74-61-68).

QUOTING COACH MENZEL
“I am proud of the team for improving each round and for finishing strong today in tough, wet conditions. Paula caught fire on the back nine and it was great to see her grab a top five finish. We are looking forward to a quick turn around to compete at Ohio State this weekend.”

IOWA LEADERBOARD
T5. Paula Miranda 75-70-67=212
T27. Madison Dabagia 75-75-72=222
T31. Ximena Benites 79-72-72=223
T60. Riley Lewis 77-73-79=229
T77. Kaitlyn Hanna 81-78-75=234
*T60. Shannyn Vogler 76-78-75=229
7. IOWA 306-290-286=882
*Competing as an individual

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return to action Saturday at the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. It is the team’s final tournament prior to the Big Ten Championships.