SARASOTA, Fla. – Oklahoma women's golf finished as the runner-up at the Spartan Sun Coast Invitational in Sarasota, Fla., on Monday.
The Sooners (2, +24) were led by
Gracie Mayo, who tied for fifth at 2-over 218, while
Audrey Rischer and
Savannah Barber each recorded top-12 finishes. Oklahoma posted rounds of 299-303-286 to finish at 24-over, four back of reigning national champion Northwestern, at the 54-hole event played at the par-72 Palm Aire Country Club.
"I'm really proud of the way our team battled yesterday and today to get a good result," head coach
Veronique Drouin-Luttrell said. "The conditions were brutal with the wind and we saw some really high scores because of it. I'm happy that we stayed mentally tough to give ourselves a chance to win today. This is a good launching point for the rest of the spring."
Mayo (T5, +2) had Oklahoma's low round of the tournament, firing a 4-under 68 in Monday's final round to jump up the leaderboard and tie for fifth. The senior carded six birdies in the final round as she moved from 15
th to fifth, securing her second top-five finish of the season and fourth of her career. She opened the tournament with a 2-over 74 and battled through a 4-over 76 in the second round before finishing strong in the final 18 holes.
Rischer (T8, +3) posted rounds of 74-73-72 to finish at 3-over par. After her opening-round 74 on Sunday, the sophomore answered with a 1-over 73 to get in the top 10 entering Monday's final round. Her 72 on Tuesday morning was highlighted by a red number on the back nine to post a T8 finish, her first top 10 of the year after notching four as a freshman.
Barber (T12, +5) recorded rounds of 74-73-74 to finish at 5-over, giving Oklahoma three players inside the top 12. The senior turned in a 1-over 73 in the second round, highlighted by key birdies on the back nine to stay in contention.
MaKayla Tyrrell tied for 48th at 16-over (77-81-74). She rebounded in the final round with a 2-over 74 after battling through difficult stretches during the first two days.
Meg Tilma rounded out the lineup in a tie for 54th at 18-over (80-82-72). The freshman closed strong with an even-par 72 in the final round to cap her week.
Reigning NCAA champion, Northwestern, won the team title at 20-over, four shots in front of the Sooners, who were followed by Ohio State (+31), Michigan State (+34) and Maryland (+36) to round out the top five. Northwestern's Dianna Lee was one of two golfers under par for week, winning the individual title at 4-under.
Oklahoma continues spring play at the Gator Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Club in Gainesville, Fla., March 6 -8.
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