WEST POINT, Miss. – The only thing that slowed down Anika Bolcíková this week was the rain. The Auburn freshman, playing in her first tournament, won the individual championship at the Magnolia Invitational after posting rounds of 71 and 66 the first two days.
The third round at Old Waverly Golf Club was canceled Tuesday due to weather.
"I was so excited the second day because everything was almost perfect," Bolcíková said. "It was such a great experience for me to play with different players – not the same as in Europe. You see different types of golf swings, golf games. I also met new players from different countries, and to be part of the team, it was a really good experience for me."
The native of Slovakia, who played as an individual for Auburn along with sophomore Mychael O'Berry, finished at 7-under for the tournament, three strokes ahead of the next competitor. Her second-round 66 on Monday included six birdies and not a single bogey.
"The conditions [Monday] were absolutely perfect," Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. "There was no wind. The greens were very receptive. It was definitely ripe for scoring. But to go through a round and not make a bogey is incredible. This is a golf course where they're hosting the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship next summer. Anytime the USGA chooses a golf course for a championship, it's a great golf course."
As a team, the Tigers finished sixth overall with a two-day score of 582. They shot 6-over in the first round but responded with a 1-under 287 during Monday's second round.
Including Bolcíková and O'Berry, six of the seven players Auburn brought finished at 3-over or better for the tournament. Sophomore Kaleigh Telfer was second in the group and tied for 13th overall at even par after rounds of 75 (+3) and 69 (-3). O'Berry and fellow sophomore Julie McCarthy were one stroke back at 1-over and in a tie for 16th while junior Elena Hualde Zúñiga tied for 22nd after shooting 146 (+2) through two rounds.
The other low score came from freshman Brooke Sansom, who was also playing in her first tournament for Auburn. She shot rounds of 73 and 74 and finished at 3-over in a tie for 25th. Junior Kayley Marschke shot 162 (+18) to place 74th.
Kennesaw State won the tournament at 5-under par (571), followed by Mississippi State (572), Oklahoma (579), LSU (580), Ole Miss (580), Auburn (582), Memphis (587), Mississippi State B (587), Coastal Carolina (601), East Tennessee State (603), Kansas State (603), Virginia Tech (603), Middle Tennessee (607) and Southern Mississippi (612).
Final Team Standings
1. Kennesaw State -- 571 (-5)
2. Mississippi State -- 572 (-4)
3. Oklahoma -- 579 (+3)
T4. LSU -- 580 (+4)
T4. Ole Miss -- 580 (+4)
6. Auburn -- 582 (+6)
T7. Memphis -- 587 (+11)
T7. Mississippi State (B) -- 587 (+11)
9. Coastal Carolina -- 601 (+25)
T10. East Tennessee State -- 603 (+27)
T10. Kansas State -- 603 (+27)
T10. Virginia Tech -- 603 (+27)
13. Middle Tennessee -- 607 (+31)
14. Southern Mississippi -- 612 (+36)
Auburn Individuals (Final)
1. Anika Bolcíková – 71, 66 (-7), ind.
T13. Kaleigh Telfer – 75, 69 (E)
T16. Julie McCarthy – 73, 72 (+1)
T16. Mychael O'Berry – 72, 73 (+1), ind.
T22. Elena Hualde Zúñiga – 74, 72 (+2)
T25. Brooke Sansom – 73, 74 (+3)
74. Kayley Marschke – 80, 82 (+18)
