The No. 6 LSU women’s golf team alternated between first- and second-place finishes all spring, and the trend continued Sunday as LSU took the crown in the final round of the LSU Tiger Golf Classic at the University Club.
LSU finished the weekend with a 15-over-par 879, five strokes ahead of runner-up Mississippi State at 20 over par.
Sunday’s victory marks the Lady Tigers’ third tournament victory of the season, while new records were set throughout the weekend.
LSU coach Karen Bahnsen attributed the records to the hard work and development of her team throughout the season, continuing to work on the things they have focused on all year.
“We really try to focus on our team,” Bahnsen said. “We are going to play and control things that we can control. We will go out there and play our game. It is fun to see them staying in that moment and that state of mind.”
The Lady Tigers had a tough time capturing the team trophy, with strong winds making the final round difficult. But all teams had a well constructed course to combat the windy conditions.
“The course is in great shape,” said senior Madelene Sagstrom. “I am so proud of them for making it this good. It was not this good last week — it is awesome.”
Sagstrom, whose family was in attendance throughout the weekend, tied the single-round course record of 67, 5 under par in the second round. She surpassed her own two-round course record at 140 since its renovation in 2010.
Sagstrom’s parents, Per and Lena Sagstrom, jokingly said their daughter had to perform well during the weekend because of their presence for the tournament and senior banquet, which was Saturday night.
“I am really proud of her,” Bahnsen said. “It is fantastic that her family, including her grandmother, was here. She is just playing so well. I am happy for her too, because she works her tail off.”
Sagstrom looked to stay calm during the final day, knowing conditions were going to be windy. The conditions created higher scores for all of the field, including Sagstrom, who finished 4 over par. She finished the final round in third place with an even-par 216.
Junior Elise Bradley overtook Sagstrom on the leaderboard as the tournament’s individual champion. Bradley trailed the senior after the second round, gaining the lead on Sunday shooting for even par. Bradley finished the tournament with a 2-under-par 214.
Bradley finished her final round tied in overall scores with Mississippi State’s Rica Tse at 2 under par. The pair went to a playoff on the par-4 10th hole and the par-5 11th hole, where Bradley shot for par and defeated Tse.
“We have been handling ourselves very well,” Sagstrom said. “We are not frustrated, we have stayed calm, proving how much we can actually play.”
Sophomore Caroline Nistrup joined Bradley and Sagstrom in the top 20, finishing her weekend in 13th place at 6-over-par 222. Sophomore Carly Goldstein completed her weekend in a tie for 27th at 13 over par and junior Nadine Dreher at 30 over par.
The tournament marked LSU’s only home competition of the season and the season finale for the team. The Lady Tigers now move their focus to postseason play, starting with the Southeastern Conference Championship on April 17-19 at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama.
You can reach Christian Boutwell on Twitter @CBoutwell_TDR.
LSU women’s golf wins Tiger Golf Classic
By Christian Boutwell
March 29, 2015
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