UCLA repeats at the Stanford Intercollegiate
(UCLA Athletics Photo)
PEBBLE BEACH, CA (October 18, 2017) - With a closing round of 9-under-par UCLA surged up the leaderboard to finish 3-under and repeat as the Stanford Intercollegiate champion. Playing at Poppy Hills Golf Club the Bruins put together the round of the tournament as they overcame a seven shot deficit to begin the day.
A day that began with a fog delay saw the leader after each of the first two rounds host Stanford ended up second at even-par after consecutive over-par days, Northwestern was a distant third at 13-over, California was fourth at 28-over while in fifth it was 32-over San Jose State.
UCLA was led to their first win of the year by freshman Patty Tavatanakit who fired a 4-under 67 to finish 6-under and tied for first in the medalist race with Andrea Lee of Stanford.
Four shots back to start the day, Tavatanakit, bogeyed only twice on her way to a six birdie round. The victory, the first individual win of the 2016 AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year's career comes shortly after she placed second at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate in her first career collegiate debut.
With the win by Tavatanakit it means that a UCLA Bruin has now finished with at least a share of the individual title for five straight years.
Besides Tavatanakit three other members of the UCLA lineup turned in under-par rounds and all three placed inside the top-15. Bethany Wu and Lilia Vu both closed with 1-under 70's to finish even-par in a tie for sixth while Mariel Galdiano was 3-over in 11th after her closing 3-under 68.
Co-medalist Andrea Lee tallied a 4-under 67 on Wednesday as well to finish 6-under and earn her share of the title. Just a sophomore but already a five-time winner, Lee played a flawless round of golf with one birdie on the front and three on the back, including two on each of the least two holes.
36-hole leader Hannah Kim of Northwestern took third 5-under. Kim had begun the day ahead by four shots but shot a 1-over 72 in the final round. In fourth it was Stanford teammates Albane Valenzuela and Mika Liu at 2-under.
ROUND TWO RECAP
Only one team was able to break par on Tuesday but Stanford, despite a 3-over second round, was able to remain atop the Stanford Intercollegiate leaderboard. Now with one round remaining the Cardinals, 1-under overall, will carry a seven-stroke lead into the final round.
Defending champion UCLA is in second at 6-over, Northwestern at 8-over is in third while California and Washington are 16-over in fourth.
Stanford has been led into the lead thanks to a trio of players tied for second at 2-under. The group is comprised of Andrea Lee, Albane Valenzuela and Mika Liu. Of the group sophomore Albane Valenzuela had the best round carding a 1-under 70. The 2016 Olympian for Switzerland had a fairly mundane round with two birdies and a bogey.
The medalist lead still belongs to Hannah Kim of Northwestern. Kim, the two-time Big 10 Player of the Year, followed up her 5-under 66 with a day two 1-under 70. During the round Kim birdied four-times, including once on the last hole, and bogeyed three-times.
With one round remaining Kim holds a four-stroke lead over five players tied for second. The group includes the Stanford trio mentioned above and Patty Tavatanakit of UCLA; Wenyung Keh of Washington.
ROUND ONE RECAP
Paced by three players under-par on day one of the Stanford Intercollegiate the host school is 4-under and the leaders by eight shots. Playing at Poppy Hills Golf Club Stanford is the only team currently under-par with still two rounds remaining.
Defending champion UCLA is in second place at 4-over, 2015 NCAA champion Washington is 7-over in third, 9-over San Jose State sits in fourth and in fifth it is UC Davis at 10-over.
The Cardinals, three-time Stanford Intercollegiate winners, were led by a trio of players in the top-10. Stanford's low round of the day was turned in by freshman Mika Liu as she carded a 4-under 68 that included six birdies and two bogeys. Liu is presently tied for second place.
Behind Liu for Stanford comes Andrea Lee (T4; -2) and Albane Valenzuela (T6; -1).
Heading up the medalist race is Northwestern's Hannah Kim. The senior, returning to her home state, carded a 5-under 66 on Monday and she will carry a two shot lead into the second round.
Kim, the two-time Big 10 Player of the Year, played bogey-free golf during her first round with birdies coming on Nos. 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12.
Joining Liu in second place at 3-under is Wenyung Keh of Washington while in fourth place it is Lee and San Jose State's Franziska Friedrich at 2-under.