SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With their backs against the wall, the Auburn women's golf team focused in on the goal and put together a program-record score to advance to match play at the 2021 NCAA Championship. The Tigers finished with a 10-under 278 on the day and concluded stroke play in sixth place overall (+18, 1170).
"They were so impressive today," head coach Melissa Luellen said, "They have tons of grit and tons of believe. We're a really talented team and they've all shot low before. It's so fun to see them do it at the same time. This is just so sweet."
Starting the day 11 shots back of eighth, Auburn's 278 pushed the team up eight spots to secure its spot for Tuesday. It was the low round of the day among the 15 teams competing and set a program record at the NCAA Championship, besting the previous mark of 285.
The Tigers will face No. 3 seed Oklahoma State in Tuesday's quarterfinals. Action kicks off at 6:20 a.m. local time, while the Golf Channel broadcast is set for 11 a.m. CT.
"We're going to stick with the game plan for Tuesday," Luellen said. "This team loves match play so we're looking forward to the next step."
After starting on the back nine, fifth-year senior Elena Hualde Zúñiga put together three straight birdies on holes 6, 7 and 8 to seal the deal for the Tigers. The Pamplona, Spain, product finished with a 3-under 69 on the day and moved to a tie for 20th with a 3-over 291.
Sophomore Megan Schofill led the Tigers with a 4-under 68, carding five birdies. Her performance, which matched her career low round at Auburn, moved her up the individual leaderboard where she finished tied for 28th with at 4 over for the tournament.
Senior Mychael O'Berry also put up a great score, carding a 3-under 69. The Hoover, Alabama, native finished with three birdies and 15 pars and was one of two players in the field to post a bogey-free round Monday.
Senior Kaleigh Telfer had a colorful scorecard but still was able to post an even-par 72 on the day. Highlighting her round was an eagle on the par five 7th where she drilled a six-foot putt for a 3. Telfer finished the four rounds at 11-over.
Closing out the Auburn contingent was freshman Anna Foster, who had a 76 Monday to finish with a 303 on the tournament.
Team Standings
1. Stanford – 1142 (-10)
2. Duke – 1155 (+3)
3. Oklahoma State – 1157 (+5)
4. Ole Miss – 1159 (+7)
5. Texas – 1161 (+9)
6. AUBURN – 1170 (+18)
T7. Arizona – 1173 (+21)
T7. Arizona State – 1173 (+21)
9. LSU – 1174 (+22)
10. Florida State – 1174 (+22)
11. Oregon – 1175 (+23)
12. Wake Forest – 1178 (+26)
13. South Carolina – 1180 (+28)
14. Baylor – 1182 (+30)
15. UCLA – 1189 (+37)
Auburn Individuals
T20. Elena Hualde Zúñiga – 75, 73, 74, 69 (+3)
T28. Megan Schofill – 74, 74, 76, 68 (+4)
T36. Mychael O'Berry – 77, 75, 73, 69 (+6)
T59. Kaleigh Telfer – 79, 77, 71, 72 (+11)
T70. Anna Foster – 80, 77, 70, 76 (+15)
Auburn cards record score to advance to NCAA Championship match play
