East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State’s women’s golf team shot a 9-over par 369 in the second round and finished in fourth place among four teams after the second and final round of stroke play at the St Andrews Links Collegiate, played on the Jubilee Course in St Andrews, Scotland.
Michigan State is one of four schools competing in the three-day tournament, which concludes Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Old Course, where the game began centuries ago. Over the first two rounds on Monday and Tuesday, the teams played six players (rather than five as in most college tournaments), with the best five scores counting toward the team total in stroke play.
The Spartans finished the two-round stroke play portion at 21-over par 741 (372-369).
Cal topped the team field at 5-under par 715 (360-355), with Princeton second at 14-over par 734 (360-374) and the University of St Andrews third at 16-over par 736 (366-370).
Senior Taylor Kehoe was the leader for the Spartans, finishing in sixth place at 1-under par 143 (71-72). Kehoe, who closed with an even-par 72, was tied for fourth place in the field with seven birdies and tied for 10th place with 23 pars.
Classmate Paula Balanzategui tied for ninth place at 1-over par 145 (72-73). She led the entire field with 28 pars over the two rounds.
Junior Ana Sofia Murcia finished in 13th place at 4-over par 148 (76-72), closing with an even-par 72, tied for the team’s best round of the day. She was tied for fourth in the field with seven birdies.
Senior Shannon Kennedy shot a 5-over par 77 in Tuesday’s round and finished in 16th place at 8-over par 152 (75-77).
Sophomore Grace Vetter bounced back from a 6-over par 78 on Monday and closed with a 1-over par 73 to place 17th at 9-over par 153 (78-75).
Freshman Lucia Valderrama placed 21st at 13-over par 157 (78-79).
Wednesday’s Medal Match Play will feature Cal and Princeton in the Championship Match at the Old Course. Michigan State will play the University of St Andrews in the Consolation Match. Monday and Tuesday scores from the stoke play portion of the event determined seeding to Wednesday’s Match Play.
Michigan State’s match starts at 3:45 a.m. against the University of St Andrews.
The St Andrews Links Collegiate will be broadcast live on The Golf Channel throughout the week, as well as Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Live coverage will air from 9 a.m. to noon (ET), with replays each day.
