Sept. 8, 2015
MANHATTAN, Kan. (SMU) - Mustang Lindsey McCurdy carded a third round 66 that propelled SMU to take first place at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational on Tuesday at the Colbert Hills Golf Course.
SMU carded a 9-over par 873 and finished two strokes ahead of second place finisher, TCU. It was the second lowest 54-hole card in the tournament's history.
Head coach Jeanne Sutherland was proud of the way her team performed throughout the tournament.
"I was really pleased with the team's play," Sutherland said. "We had someone step up in every round and that was important for us."
McCurdy came into the final 18 holes at 4-over and started slow with a bogey on No. 2. But McCurdy would rebound, and go on a tear, birdying seven holes, including five of the last nine. The junior finished atop the player leaderboard with a two-under 214, which tied for the third best 54-hole score in Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational history.
McCurdy's third round 66 tied the tournament record for lowest score in a round.
"(McCurdy) had a great tournament," Sutherland said. "She hit the ball really well today."
Junior Katie Page finished tied for third with an even 218. Page improved each round by one stroke, carding a 73, 72 and 71. It was Page's first top-5 finish since joining the Mustangs.
"Katie had a good tournament, she was up there fighting with McCurdy for the win and it was fun to watch," Sutherland said.
Senior Alexandra Rossi had a good showing, carding a 5-over par 221. Freshman Brigitte Dunne finished tied for 14th with a 6-over 222 which completed team scoring for SMU.
Dunne had a memorable second round, in which the freshman made seven birdies, and finished with a four-under 68.
SMU led all 12 schools in birdies with 48, and several Mustangs led in individual categories. Rossi led in Par 3's going three-under and McCurdy led in Par 4's carding a two-under.
Sutherland said that despite the tournament victory, there is room for improvement.
"We still have a lot of work to do and we have to get better every week," Sutherland said.
SMU will next compete in the East & West Match Play Challenge in Verona, Wisconsin on Sept. 20. The Mustangs will be defending champions as they defeated UC Davis in the finals of the inaugural tournament in 2014.
