GUADALAJARA, Mexico — BYU women’s golf (303-294-291–888) posted a 24-over par on its scorecard to finish in fifth place at the Collegiate Invitational at Guadalajara Country Club on Saturday.
“We are super proud of the girls for responding so well after a discouraging day,” said head coach Carrie Roberts. “We put a strong emphasis on self belief, the things we could control and the can do attitude. The three most important mental skills taught by Dr. Craig Manning.”
After finishing Friday in 11th, the Cougars responded with a 5-over-par in their final 27 holes following 19-over par in their first 27. BYU battled back from an event-worst 15-over-par first round to a 6-over-par second round, third-best score of the round, and a 3-over-par final round, fourth-best score of the round. The Cougars have finished in the top-5 in back-to-back tournaments dating back to the Rainbow Wahine Invitational last October.
Florida State (292-292-284–868) claimed victory in Mexico with a 4-over-par team scorecard. Despite leading the field in birdies and eagles, Oklahoma State (288-294-289–871) fell short of the top with a 7-over-par runner-up score. Houston (293-297-283–873) recorded 5-under-par final round, lowest score of any team in that round, on its way to a third-place finish. Virginia (297-291-291–879) secured fourth at 15-over par and was followed by fifth-place BYU to round out the top-5.
Junior Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan (74-70-71–215) carded even par which put her tied for 10th. The Mexico native notched her second top-10 finish of the season and the eighth one of her career. Barragan’s other top-10 finish came from the Rainbow Wahine Invitational where she took home 10th.
"This week was special," Barragain said. "It's a once in a lifetime experience playing a college tournament in my home country. I was really excited to have my parents and grandparents watching... It was so nice to be playing on a familiar course... I think it's a course that's pretty gettable if you hit the right shots. I hit really good shots that made made me be in good positions."
"MJ was stoked to play in front of her family and friends in her home country," Roberts said. "Although she wanted to win, she’s proud of how she finished."
Kanyanol (Naji) Aramkul (80-74-71–225) and Whitney Banz (77-77-73–227) each jumped up 21 places on the leaderboard on Saturday. Aramkul ended up 9-over par and tied for 27th while Banz finished with 11-over par and tied for 32nd.
Lily McCauley (76-73-80–229) wrapped up the day 13-over par and tied for 40th.
Ava Schroeder (76-80-75–231) finished with a share of 48th at 15-over par.
"Our focus in Tucson will be similar to what we focused on today," Roberts said. "Building that belief so that we can play to what we are capable of."
The Cougars will prepare for the Thunderbird Collegiate in Tucson, Arizona on Feb. 8-9 at Tucson Country Club.