RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A late final-round flurry got Santa Clara women's golf close, but they fell a few strokes shy of claiming their second team title of the season, instead settling for a third-place showing with an 883 total at the Battle at the Rock.
The Broncos shot their best score of the tournament on Tuesday with a 293, but they couldn't overtake eventual champion Grand Canyon, finishing two shots back of the Lopes. Cal Poly squeezed between the two to claim runner-up honors.
"We closed the gap with just three holes to play. It's a hard one to swallow finish-wise," head coach Krystal Kelly said. "But there were a ton of positives from this tournament. Three sub-297 rounds, we made two eagles and a ton of birdies."
One positive was the play of Sarah Busey, who overcame a first-round 76 to shoot 2-under over the final 36 holes to grab a share of fifth-place at 2-over 218. The sophomore matched her career-best finish by carding a career-low 54-hole score.
Junior Marni Murez and freshman Claire Choi each placed among the top-20. Murez did so for the sixth time in her Santa Clara career by carding a 5-over 221 to tie for 15th. Choi had her best career-finish with a share of 18th at 6-over 222.
Sophomore Emily Sumner just missed a top-20 placing in a tie for 21st at 7-over 223. Chloe Wong finished the tournament at 230.
"Now we know what we need to work on for the rest of the season," Kelly added. "That will come with experience. Ultimately I'm very proud of them."
The Broncos return to action Feb. 25 competing in the Gold Rush at the Old Ranch Golf Club in Seal Beach, Calif.
Santa Clara Final Individual Results
| T5. | Sarah Busey | 76-70-72 = 218 (+2) |
| T15. | Marni Murez | 71-76-74 = 221 (+5) |
| T18. | Claire Choi | 74-75-73 = 222 (+6) |
| T21. | Emily Sumner | 73-76-74 = 223 (+7) |
| T45. | Chloe Wong | 78-75-77 = 230 (+14) |
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