by Gavin Hall, Santa Clara Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Claire Choi (73-77-70--220) played a near flawless final round at the Valley Invitational on Tuesday, playing bogey-free through 17 holes after teeing off on No. 8 and carding a 3-under 33 on the back nine thanks to three birdies on holes she had not birdied in the two rounds prior. Unfortunately, her sole bogey of the round would come on her final hole of the day, resulting in a 2-under 70 to end up just one shot off Riana Mission of USF who won medalist honors. 

This is Choi's top finish of the young season and her second top-10 finish on the year. It was also the 10th career top-10 performance for the Honolulu product. 

Fellow Bronco Inara Sharma kept her double-bogey count to one and secured a top-20 finish as she went 79-74-73--226 putting her in in 17th while Borina Sutikto also showed consistency going 78-76-79--233 to finish in a tie for 32nd. Audrey Brust (81-79-80--240) and Valentina Gilly (86-77-84--247) began their spring season with a T56th and T69th, respectively. Maddie Wu was able to get three rounds comfortably into the 70s as she went 75-77-77--229 to finish tied for 22nd as an individual.

The Broncos improved their collective score after each round allowing them to climb two spots from the first to the second day to finish in sixth in the 13-team field with a 53-over 311-304-302--917. USF (33-over 304-287-306--897) took the team title for the second year in a row in Bakersfield. Santa Clara will take a three-week break before returning to competitive play in late February.

NEXT UP

• The Beach Invitational

• Feb. 27-28

• Mission Viejo Country Club (Mission Viejo, Calif.)