Feb. 26, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" The Auburn women's golf team defeated Tennessee by six strokes at the Auburn vs. Tennessee Challenge carding a 17-over 292-302-594 on Sunday at the AU Club. Freshman Elena Hualde won medalist honors at 4-under 68-72-140.
"I think the fact that we got a win over a team that's ranked higher than we are is a great thing," head coach Melissa Luellen said. "There were a lot of big numbers out there for us, which I think sometimes playing on your home course can certainly be an advantage, but can also offer troubles, too. We play here a lot, but then you get all these people out here watching and the environment completely changes. I think it was really good for them, but we've got a few things to clean up."
Hualde, a native of Pamplona, Spain, began her day with a 4-under 68 that included six birdies on Nos. 1, 4 and 6 on the front and 12, 14 and 16 on the back. She followed with another trio of birdies in the second round to push her total to nine. It was Hualde's second tournament win of her freshman season; she also won the Fall Kickoff in September.
"I feel pretty happy with my game today," Hualde said. "It was pretty good in the morning, but it was not that good in the afternoon. I did stay in the game, so I'm happy to win the trophy."
Sophomore Mai Dechathipat finished runner-up at 1-under 71-72-143. The Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., product tallied seven birdies over both rounds while competing as an individual. Her two rounds today were her two best since coming to Auburn.
"I'm really happy for Elena and I'm really happy for Mai having a great tournament," Luellen said. "She's been struggling with scoring and that was just a great breakthrough for her."
Juniors Michaela Owen (75-77-152) and Kelli Murphy (76-76-152) tied for eighth at 8-over while freshman Kayley Marschke finished a shot back at 9-over 73-80-153 to tie for ninth.
Tennessee (303-297--600) was led by Blakesly Warren who finished third at 2-over 75-71-146.
Auburn returns to action this weekend at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, which runs Friday-Sunday at the Long Cove Club in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Final results from the Auburn-Tennessee Challenge, hosted by Auburn at the Auburn University Club (par 72, 6,283 yards) in Auburn, Ala.
Team Scores
Auburn ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 292-302=594 (+18)
Tennessee ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 303-297=600 (+24)
Auburn Individual Results
1. Elena Hualde ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 68-72=140 (-4)
2. *Mai Dechathipat ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 71-72=143 (-1)
T6. Michaela Owen ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 75-77=152 (+8)
T6. Kelli Murphy ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 76-76=152 (+8)
8. Kayley Marschke ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 73-80=153 (+9)
15. Melanie Talbott ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" 90-77=167 (+23)
*competed as an individual