Feb. 16, 2016
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" Auburn's women's golf team shot its best round of the week and moved up three spots to close out the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, which wrapped up Tuesday.
Led by a 1-under-par 71 from junior Clara Baena, the Tigers posted a final-round 299 (+11) and moved up to finish in 12th place after sitting at 15th through each of the first two rounds. The Tigers' team score was 11 shots better than its second-round total at the River Course at Rio Mar (par 72; 7,203 yards).
Baena's 71 was her second round under par this season and a 12-shot improvement over her second-round total. Starting on the 17th hole, she opened with a birdie, then made bogey at No. 1 to move back even. She remained even at the turn after a birdie at the third and bogey at the eighth, then made a birdie and seven pars over her last eight holes to card the Tigers' best round of the week.
Sophomore Michaela Owen was the Tigers' top finisher for the tournament, tying for 42nd place. She bounced back from a rough second round to post a 1-over-par 73 Tuesday, matching her first-round score. She avoided the big number as well, posting two birdies along with three bogeys for the day. And fellow sophomore Kelli Murphy recorded her second-straight round of 76 (+4) that included a pair of birdies.
Playing as an individual, freshman Mai Dechathipat posted a 3-over-par 75 for her second-best score of the season.
Georgia captured the team title at 867 (+3), three shots ahead of second-round leader Arkansas at 6-over. Arkansas' Maria Fassi was the individual medalist at 208 (-8).
Auburn returns to action March 4-6 at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
For the latest on Auburn women's golf, follow @AuburnWGolf on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/auburnwgolf.
Final results from the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, hosted by Purdue at the River Course at Rio Mar in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (par 72; 6,203 yards):
Team Standings
1. Georgia ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 867 (+3)
2. Arkansas ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 870 (+6)
3. Texas Tech ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 878 (+14)
4. Iowa State ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 884 (+20)
T5. Kent State ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 886 (+22)
T5. Northwestern ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 886 (+22)
T7. Augusta ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 891 (+27)
T7. TCU ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 891 (+27)
9. Louisville ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 898 (+34)
10. NC State ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 902 (+38)
11. Maryland ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 912 (+48)
12. Auburn ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 914 (+50)
13. Michigan ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 916 (+52)
14. Purdue ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 918 (+54)
15. Indiana ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 921 (+57)
16. Clemson ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 924 (+60)
Auburn Individual Results
T42. Michaela Owen ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 73-81-73=227 (+11)
T48. Jamie Yun ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 75-74-80=229 (+13)
64. Kelli Murphy ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 81-76-76=233 (+17)
T65. Alex Harrell ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 76-79-79=234 (+18)
*T65. Mai Dechathipat ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 76-83-75=234 (+18)
T71. Clara Baena ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 81-83-71=235 (+19)
*Played as an individual; score does not count toward team total