SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — BYU women’s golfers Whitney Banz and Kate Walker finished in the Top 5 at the Mary Lou Baker Open at Glenmoor Golf Club on Wednesday.
Banz finished at even-par 216 after shooting a 3-under 69 in the final round to place third. Walker finished fifth at 3-over with rounds of 73, 74 and 72.
“I’m really grateful for how the Mary Lou went,” Banz said. “There was a lot of good to build momentum off of for the fall. There are definitely things I could have done better, but I am grateful to have finished close to the top.”
Banz opened the tournament with a birdie on No. 5 and bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7. She added birdies on Nos. 11 and 13 to move to 1-under before a bogey on No. 14 brought her back to even par for a 72. Banz carded a 3-over 75 in the second round with two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey.
Banz’s best round of the tournament came in the final round with a 3-under 69. She made birdies on Nos. 2 and 9 and a bogey on No. 7 before the turn. The senior added consecutive birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 before a bogey on No. 12 dropped her to 2-under for the round. Banz made an eagle on No. 15 and a bogey on No. 16 to finish at 3-under.
“I went into the last round with a lot of optimism, and I just wanted to give it my best,” Banz said. "My dad, who caddied for me, gave me some great reads on putts, and I tried to play my shots to give me the best chance at a good score.”