Despite a strong start, the LSU women’s golf team finished fourth ending 43 over par in the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic this weekend at the University Club’s 6,276 yard, 72 par course.
“Obviously, we’re a little disappointed,” said sophomore Brooke Shelton. “But it was still good for us overall.”
The Tigers shot 300 in the first round Friday putting them in first place with a five stroke lead. It was their best round of the season upping their previous best performance when they shot 305 in the fall.
Junior Devon Day finished Friday in a three-way tie for first with an even par performance. It was Day’s best LSU performance as a Tiger while her previous best came at the LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic in 2001.
Shelton and freshman Vicky Myer shot 75 tying for 6th place in the first round.
Myer played through a tendon injury with a heavily wrapped left lower leg.
“It affected me quite a lot,” Myer said. “I couldn’t finish my swing.”
The second round was delayed 1 hour and 48 minutes because of Saturday’s rain storms which delayed many other LSU home events from starting.
The delay did not slow down the Tigers. Tahey improved on Friday’s performance shooting 299. It was the first time the current group of golfers has ever shot below 300.
Despite shooting their season best in two consecutive rounds the Tigers did not keep pace with the University of North Carolina Wilmington. They shot a 292 Saturday giving them a two-stroke lead going into the third round.
Shelton and freshman Rachel Overstreet led the way for the Tigers on Saturday shooting 74 while Day continued to play strong finishing three over par.
“Everybody played well on the same day,” Shelton said. “That’s what we have been looking to do.”
Sunday did not go as well for the Tigers. They shot 308 to finish the tournament 43 over par.
“We just played mediocre,” Shelton said.
UNCW, Tulane and Memphis used the third round to propel themselves in past the Tigers. UNCW finished the round four over par giving them a three stroke win over Tulane, who finished the tournament 28 over par. Memphis eclipsed the Tigers by two-strokes with a 41 over par tournament performance.
“We didn’t play as well as we could and they all played very well,” Myer said. “Those two combined gave us this result.”
Shelton said she believes their performance will help them as they have to travel to Lexington, Ky. in two weeks for the Southeastern Conference Championship.
“I think we gained a lot of confidence this week,” Shelton said.