The Michigan women’s golf team admitted to feeling pressure to perform in the NCAA tournament, given that the Wolverines were hosting a regional tournament.
Michigan felt the heat on Wednesday but kept serving, and finished in a tie for third after the third and final round to advance to the NCAA Championship May 20-25 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Michigan shot 3 times during Wednesday’s third round to finish at 28 over the three days at University of Michigan Golf Course, tied with Arkansas in the last two holes of the NCAA Championships. They outperformed Virginia Tech by three shots for the final qualifying positions.
Top-ranked San Jose State, ranked fifth in the country, moved up to win the 10th over the district. Virginia, ranked eighth, was ranked second after being ranked 13th.
This marks the second year in a row that Michigan, seeded 18th, has advanced to the NCAA Championship and the fifth time in the program’s history. Four of those games have been under current coach Jan Dowling, in eight seasons.
Michigan senior Ashley Lau, who finished fifth for the week, was led by second. She fired 2-under 69 on Wednesday to secure the Wolverines’ place in the NCAA Championship. Junior Hayley Borja tied for 9th at 3 rounds, with rounds 73 and 72, and Wednesday 71.
Michigan was rounded up by West Bloomfield Jr. Michaela Schulze (tied for 23; 10 more) and second-year student Monet Chun (tied for 32; 13 more).
Women’s amateur golfer Natasha Andrea On of San Jose State, ranked 10th in the world, won the Medals of Honor at 6-under, winning five shots.
Auckland finished regional in 12th, led by graduate student Amalia Shahzan (tied 39; over 15).
While Michigan retained its place in the NCAA tournaments, Michigan State saw its place further away, placing fifth in the Stillwater (Oklahoma) regional. Michigan State found itself fourth for most of the final round on Wednesday, before finishing at 21 over, four shots out of fourth and final, which went to Auburn. Baylor won the regional spot, followed by Arizona, Oklahoma and Auburn.
Michigan State had its best round of the championship on Wednesday, with a score of 2, but it wasn’t enough.
Sophomore Leila Raines was ahead of the Spartans 3 times, finishing 10th, followed by freshman Brock Berman (tied 15; 5 more), senior Valerie Plata (tied 17; 6 more) and second freshman Valentina Rossi (tied 19; 7 over) .
The men’s golf competition begins Monday, with the No. 8 ranked Michigan State in the Bryan, Texas, Regional.
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