FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — BYU women’s golf ends the three-day Blessings Collegiate Invitational in sixth place after recording a 25-over-par total on Wednesday at Blessings Golf Club.
“The girls battled and struggled on their last nine holes but showed what they can do,” said head coach Carrie Roberts. “Seven-hour rounds take it out of you.”
Host Arkansas (290-285-281–856) secured the win on their home course with an 8-under-par total, shooting 7-under in the closing round. Kent State (306-290-296–892) shot 28-over par over 54 holes to capture second place. Mississippi State (297-302-300–899) posted a 35-over total on their way to third with Kansas State (308-299-295–902) and Louisville (303-306-307–916) rounding out the top five. BYU (305-300-313–918) finished sixth at 54-over.
Ava Schroeder (75-75-72–222) posted an even-par final round with five birdies on the day to finish eighth at 6-over par. This marks the sophomore’s first career top-10 finish. Schroeder led BYU in total birdies with eight.
“I just focused on my cues for each shot and committing to aggressive lines,” said Schroeder.
“To come into a very difficult course and to perform the way she did showed how good she is and what a tough competitor she is,” said Roberts.
Lily McCauley (79-72-80–231) grabbed a share of 21st after shooting 8-over par in the final round. McCauley and Schroeder were the only Cougars to record a round of even par or better this week.
Berlin Long (75-75-82–232) finished tied for 26th after posting a 16-over 54-hole total. Kanyanol (Naji) Aramkul (77-79-79–235) shot 79 in the final round to finish in a tie for 34th.
Whitney Banz (78-78-82–238), the only returner from last year’s Blessings Collegiate Invitational lineup, ended her 54 holes with a 22-over total. Banz had a three-shot improvement in this year’s tournament.
“To prepare for the next tournament, I need to work on my start lines for each shot,” said Schroeder. “As a team, I think focusing on making putts inside 10 feet and playing fearlessly.”
“We need to clean up a few things, but lots of positives for us moving forward,” said Roberts.
The Cougars hit the road for the Dale McNamara Invitational in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, at the Golf Club of Oklahoma on Oct. 13-14.