Sept. 28, 2008
FRANKLIN, Tenn. - The No. 8 Auburn women's golf team rallied to post a 1-under-287 Sunday to finish ninth at the Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends Golf Course in Franklin, Tenn. The Tigers entered the final round 14th and were able to put together three even par or lower scores. Individually, Candace Schepperle earned runner-up honors.
"We had a great round today and did a great job of climbing up the leader board, which was our goal," head women's golf coach Kim Evans said. "Candance continued her excellent play with a runner-up finish and we are very proud of the way she continues to play."
Schepperle, who entered the final round leading all individuals, finished second after posting an even par round for a three-day 67-20-72--209 total.
"I like where my game is," Schepperle said. "I am looking forward to the next tournament for myself and the team to have the opportunity to win."
Cydney Clanton carded five birdies en route to a 2-under-70 afternoon. The sophomore All-American entered the round in a tie for 48th and was able to climb back to tie for 23rd (72-79-70--221).
Freshman Patricia Sanz had her best round in her rookie season by firing an even par 72 to tie for 56th at 78-79-72--229. She began the day on the back nine and birdied hole Nos. 10 and 14.
Sarah Thead bounced back from two rough rounds for a 1-over-73 and finished the tournament with 82-79-73--234 to tie for 74th. Thead birdied No. 10, but bogeyed the next three holes. She was able to make up two of those strokes with birdies on Nos. 15 and 4.
Mariana Macias (81-78-79--238) rounded out the scoring players for Auburn by tying for 81st and Madison Overbey, a non-scorer for the Tigers this weekend, tied for 78th on 83-74-80--237.
Third-ranked UCLA won both the team and individual titles. The Bruins won the team title by combining for a 14-under-850 and Sydnee Michaels was the medalist (68070-67--205).
No. 1 Southern California (283--856), was six strokes back to finish second, followed by sixth-ranked Oklahoma State (295--863). Vanderbilt was fourth (296--868) and No. 2 Arizona State (293--873) placed fifth. Fifth-ranked Duke (303--882), No. 7 Alabama 293--883), No. 12 Purdue (294--890) and No. 15 Florida (306--894) round out the top 10.
No. 17 Arizona (293--896) finished 11th and was followed by No. 18 Arkansas (300--897), UT-Chattanooga (302--903), No. 10 Wake Forest (302--903), No. 19 Stanford (297--907), Tennessee (305--911) and Central Florida (301--914) took 11-17th places.
Up next for Auburn will be the Lady Tar Heel Invitational Oct. 3-5 at the Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill, N.C.