LAKEWOOD, Wash. – Santa Clara women's golf carded a season-low 291 in Tuesday's final-round to overcome a three-shot deficit and claim their first team title of the season by four-shots at the Pat Lesser-Harbottle Invitational with an 891 total.
The Broncos moved past second-round leaders Houston Baptist and Grand Canyon with the tournament's second-lowest round and the team's best since scoring a 286 at the Wyoming Cowgirl Classic in April. The victory also kept alive a streak of at least one tournament win in each of the last six seasons.
"They played so well this tournament," head coach Krystal Kelly said of her team. "They were making putts from all over the place, it was really fun to watch. We also had a hole out from the bunker and several great chip-ins. Both Houston Baptist and Grand Canyon had eagles in the first two holes so we had to play well right out of the gate."
Emily Sumner carded a career-best and tournament-low tying 3-under 69 on Tuesday to pace the Broncos. She climbed 11 spots on the leaderboard to earn her second straight top-10 with a share of sixth-place at 4-over 220. Sarah Busey also earned her second straight top-10 by tying for ninth at 5-over 221. The sophomores were among nine players to birdie at least 10 holes for the event, leading the Broncos to a tournament-high 37 birdies.
Two other Broncos placed among the top-20 with junior Marni Murez and freshman Claire Choi taking a share of 19th place with a 225 total.
Competing in her first collegiate tournament, freshman Duong Tran had her best score of the tournament with a final-round 76. She ended with a 240 total and a share of 76th.
"I'm so proud of this team, they played so well," Kelly added. "It was fun watching Emily shoot her best college round."
The Broncos earned the 23rd team title in program history and the 15th under Kelly, who took over the program in the spring of 2011.
The team returns to the links for its final event of the fall season on October 28 competing in the UC Irvine Invitational at the Santa Ana Country Club.
Santa Clara Final Individual Results
| T6. | Emily Sumner | 74-77-69 = 220 (+4) |
| T9. | Sarah Busey | 74-72-75 = 221 (+5) |
| T19. | Marni Murez | 75-77-73 = 225 (+9) |
| T19. | Claire Choi | 76-75-74 = 225 (+9) |
| T76. | Duong Tran | 86-78-76 = 240 (+24) |
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