Sept. 26, 2011

Dick McGuire Invitational Final Results

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -The Baylor women's golf team posted the low score of the final round Monday to claim the Branch Law Firm / Dick McGuire Invitational by a four-stroke margin.

Baylor entered the final round tied for fourth and trailed leader Northwestern by six strokes. The Lady Bears used two sub-par performances to shoot a final-round 295 - the lowest of any team Monday - and finish the tournament at 11-over (294-298-295=887). TCU and Denver tied for second at 15-over, while first-day leader Northwestern finished fourth at 16-over, followed by San Diego State in fifth at 19-over.

It was the first tournament victory of the Jay Goble era and Baylor's first win since April 2010 at the Baylor Spring Invitational. It was also Baylor's first fall win since September 2005 at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic.

"Pin placements were very tough, but we played smart golf and hit the ball very well," Goble said. "I knew we would play well if we had a few putts drop. It's pretty awesome to win and beat several teams ranked way ahead of us."

Freshman Hayley Davis turned in her second consecutive second-place performance to begin her collegiate career. Davis shot a final-round 1-under 72 to finish 2-under (72-73-72=217) for the tournament, one stroke behind the individual champion, New Mexico's Sofia Hoglund (3-under 216). Davis was one of only three golfers to finish the tournament under-par.

Chelsey Cothran carded a final-round 72 to finish the tournament at even-par 219, tying for fourth overall. It is Cothran's second career top-five finish and fifth top-10 finish. Davis and Cothran were among four golfers (out of 96) to finish the day with a sub-par final round score.

"Once again, Hayley (Davis) and Chelsey (Cothran) continued their good play," Goble said. "Hayley had a chance to win it, but couldn't get a few putts to fall. She's playing her way into contention every time. She'll get some wins; it's only a matter of time."

Fellow senior Jaclyn Jansen tied for 17th, shooting 5-over 224. Davis, Cothran and Jansen combined for 10 of Baylor's 13 total birdies Monday. Valerie Sternebeck tied for 39th at 9-over 228. Emma Carberry, making her collegiate debut as an individual, tied for 79th at 19-over 238, followed by Stani Schiavone in 83rd at 20-over 239.

"All day, I tried to watch how we were playing and not paying attention to the scoreboard because you can't change what's on there," Goble said. "Everything was great Monday. Everyone went higher in the final round, so you know it was tough day all around. But we managed to shoot the lowest of any team and take care of business."

In two weeks, Baylor returns to New Mexico for the Price's NMSU Invitational, which will be held Oct. 10-12 in Las Cruces.