March 21, 2017
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. -- The Auburn women's golf team wrapped up the Briar's Creek Invitational Tuesday with a fifth-place finish in the 18-team event.
Auburn posted rounds of 288-291-292=871 to finish at 7-over par for the 54-hole tournament at The Golf Club at Briar's Creek (par 71, 6,101 yards).
"Overall, it was a solid week," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "It was a great team effort by everybody. We had great par-five play this week from everyone. There are still a few things we've got to clean up on the par-fours and a couple of short-game shots, but overall I was very pleased. The players are getting better, and this was a great building block."
Junior Michaela Owen led the way for the week, posting scores of 72-75-72=219 (+3) to tie for 22nd place. Owen bounced back from a double-bogey on her first hole to play the rest of the round at 2-under, carding four birdies and two bogeys the rest of the way.
Freshmen Elena Hualde and Kayley Marschke and junior Kelli Murphy all tied for 35th place at 5-over par. Hualde recovered from a first-round 79 to shoot 70-72 in the final two rounds to move up 13 spots, and Murphy posted a final-round 73 to move up six spots on the final leaderboard. Sophomore Melanie Talbott had Auburn's other counting score Tuesday with a 75; she tied for 49th place at 8-over.
Florida won the team event for the third straight year, posting a score of 849 (-15) to win by 18 shots. Campbell was the runner up at 867 (+3), followed by Illinois (+4) and Miami (+6). Florida's Maria Torres was the individual medalist with a 209 (-7).
Auburn plays its final tournament of the regular season April 7-9 when the Tigers travel to Athens, Ga., for the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic at the UGA Golf Course.
Final results from the Briar's Creek Invitational, hosted by College of Charleston at The Golf Club at Briar's Creek (par 72, 6,101 yards) in Johns Island, S.C.:
Team Standings
1. Florida -- 849 (-15)
2. Campbell -- 867 (+3)
3. Illinois -- 868 (+4)
4. Miami -- 870 (+6)
5. Auburn -- 871 (+7)
6. Michigan State -- 872 (+8)
T7. Texas Tech -- 878 (+14)
T7. Ohio State -- 878 (+14)
9. Louisville -- 879 (+15)
T10. North Carolina -- 882 (+18)
T10. East Carolina -- 882 (+18)
12. Wisconsin -- 887 (+23)
13. Boston College -- 892 (+28)
14. Charleston Southern -- 896 (+32)
15. College of Charleston -- 900 (+36)
16. Penn State -- 908 (+44)
17. Long Beach State -- 917 (+53)
18. Kansas -- 919 (+55)
Auburn Individuals
T22. Michaela Owen -- 72-75-72=219 (+3)
T35. Elena Hualde -- 79-70-72=221 (+5)
T35. Kelli Murphy -- 75-73-73=221 (+5)
T35. Kayley Marschke -- 67-73-81=221 (+5)
T49. Melanie Talbott -- 74-75-75=224 (+8)