Georgia wins own Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic
Georgia's Bailey Tardy went 3-0 in her matches
(Georgia Athletics Photo)
ATHENS, GA (April 9, 2017) - The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into the postseason on a high note. On Sunday they completed their run to the 45th Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic title with a 3.5-1.5 triumph over SEC rival Alabama.
The host Bulldogs have now won the event 14-times while playing on their own University of Georgia Golf Course.
“The regular season ended perfectly because we’re playing our best golf,” head coach Josh Brewer said. “We’ve just got to keep the momentum now, but it’s a great way to be heading into SEC's.”
For the Bulldogs their biggest win on Sunday came from senior Mary Ellen Shuman who bested Alabama's Lauren Stephenson 3&2. Stephenson won the first two holes of the match but Shuman squared the tilt on No. 8 and then took the lead for good on No. 10.
“I made some stupid mistakes in the beginning and just never really let it get to me,” Shuman said. “I just kept hitting the shots I knew I could hit and it just kinda turned for the better and worked out.
“I hit it in the woods on No. 6 and thought I hit what was a really poor shot out but it ended up close,” Shuman added. “I thought to myself ‘this could be a good sign.’ After that, I just focused harder and knew that I could do it and that the course wasn’t fighting against me.”
Quarterfinal and Semifinal Results
Georgia also received full points from Bailey Tardy and Harang Lee as they both won 1 up. The half point was produced when Rinko Mitsunaga halved with Alabama's Mia Landegren.
The lone Crimson Tide victory came from Cheyenne Knight who bested Friday's medalist winner Jillian Hollis.
“As a team, we’ve got to get ready. “We’ve poked a bear that has been No. 1 all year, and they’d love to pay us back in about two weeks. We’ve just got to be ready,” said Brewer of going up against Alabama later in the month at the SEC Championships.
-Georgia Athletics contributed to this story