SMU Mustangs (SMU Athletics Photo)
The SMU Mustangs consisting of Ellie Szeryk, Mackenzie Lee, Tess Davenport, Juno Song, and Ashley Chow, shot 38-under 826 with rounds of 276-285-265 for a comfortable victory by nine-strokes over Texas Tech at the Jim West Challenge at Kissing Tree Golf Club in San Marcos, Tex.
The Mustangs commenced the final round in a thrilling three-way tie for the lead alongside Texas Tech and Houston, all at 15-under par. Nonetheless, a scorching performance of 23-under par in the final round by the Mustangs secured them a remarkable victory, shattering the prior 18-hole record score of 14-under, which had been established at the American Championship back in April 2023.
The Mustang's total score of 38-under par also broke the program record set at the 2023 AAC Championship of 25-under.
Oklahoma secured a commendable fourth place, finishing at an impressive 20-under par, closely trailed by Oklahoma State in fifth position at 18-under par.
In the individual competition, Ellie Szeryk, a senior at SMU, clinched the title with an impressive 16-under 200, carding rounds of 67-70-73. She secured victory by a narrow one-shot margin over Shannon Tan, a sophomore at Texas Tech who posted rounds of 68-69-64 and finished as the runner-up at 15-under 201.
Szeryk entered the final round in a tie for seventh place at 7-under par, trailing Savannah Barber, the 36-hole leader at 10-under par. Szeryk's final round featured a flawless 63, highlighted by an eagle on No. 5, and seven birdies, including a remarkable streak of three consecutive birdies from Holes No. 12 through 14, leading her to capture her first collegiate title.
Mackenzie Lee of SMU stole the spotlight with an impressive 10-under 62, starting strong with 5-under in her first four holes, including an eagle on No. 3. She finished the front nine with just 29 strokes and maintained her form on the back nine to reach 10-under for the day. Her final round got her to T4.
ABOUT THE
Jim West Challenge
54-hole women's college tournament hosted by Texas
State University. Team (best four scores out of five
players each round) and individual competitions.
View Complete Tournament Information