Sept. 17, 2017
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Sophomore Elena Hualde earned a top-10 individual finish, helping Auburn to one of the best team scores in program history this week at the Mason Rudolph Championship, which wrapped up Sunday.
Auburn shot an even-par 288 on Sunday to finish the week in seventh place at 857 (-7), which ties for the third-best 54-hole team total in program history. Auburn previously shot 857 at the 2004 ACC/SEC Challenge.
"I think we have a lot of bright spots," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "We were playing solid as a team on the front nine, stumbled on holes 10-13, but recovered a bit after that. Some solid performances individually in an excellent field.
"The scoring conditions could not have been better as the fairways, greens and weather were superb. A solid start to the season and we are already looking forward to playing at Old Waverly in two weeks."
Sophomore Elena Hualde also recorded the best score of her collegiate career, finishing with rounds of 67-69-73=209 (-7) to finish in seventh place. She was 1-over Sunday with three birdies and four bogeys on the day. It's the fourth career top-10 finish for Hualde and her second straight top 10 at the Mason Rudolph.
Senior Michaela Owen tied for 14th place, her eighth career top-20 finish, with three straight rounds under par at 70-70-71=211 (-5). Owen carded Auburn's first eagle of the season Sunday on the ninth hole; she also had a pair of birdies on the day.
Auburn's low round of the day belonged to senior Kelli Murphy, who shot a 70 (-2) to move up to a tie for 49th place. Murphy was 1-over through 12 holes, but birdied three of the final six holes to finish 2-under for the day. Melanie Talbott shot 74 and Kayley Marschke finished with a 75 on Sunday.
Arkansas won the tournament at 823 (-41), followed by Alabama (-35) and Arizona State (-25). Arkansas' Maria Fassi and Alabama's Lauren Stephenson tied for medalist honors at 200 (-16).
The Tigers return to competition Oct. 1-3 at the Magnolia Invitational in West Point, Miss. For the latest on Auburn women's golf, follow @AuburnWGolf on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Final results from the Mason Rudolph Championship, hosted by Vanderbilt at the Vanderbilt Legends Club -- North Course (par 72, 6,335 yards) in Franklin, Tenn.:
Final Team Standings
1. Arkansas -- 823 (-41)
2. Alabama -- 829 (-35)
3. Arizona State -- 839 (-25)
4. Vanderbilt -- 842 (-22)
5. Northwestern -- 847 (-17)
6. South Carolina -- 853 (-11)
7. Auburn -- 857 (-7)
8. Virginia -- 861 (-3)
9. Clemson -- 867 (+3)
10. Houston -- 871 (+7)
11. North Carolina -- 873 (+9)
12. Chattanooga -- 882 (+18)
13. UCF -- 889 (+25)
14. Middle Tennessee -- 890 (+26)
15. Charlotte -- 899 (+35)
Auburn Individuals
7. Elena Hualde -- 67-69-73-209 (-7)
T14. Michaela Owen -- 70-70-71=211 (-5)
T40. Kayley Marschke -- 73-70-75=218 (+2)
T49. Kelli Murphy -- 75-75-70=220 (+4)
T65. Melanie Talbott -- 78-75-74=227 (+11)