University of Houston Athletics
CHAMPIONS -- Houston Wins 2018 Title
4/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
| Scoring | Results | Photos | Schedule |
|---|
| Team | Rounds | Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |||
| 1. | #23 Houston | 291 | 302 | 277 | 870 | +6 |
| t2. | UCF | 293 | 305 | 286 | 884 | +20 |
| t2. | #47 ECU | 296 | 303 | 285 | 884 | +20 |
| 4. | Memphis | 296 | 301 | 288 | 885 | +21 |
| 5. | Wichita State | 302 | 316 | 287 | 905 | +41 |
| 6. | Cincinnati | 306 | 318 | 290 | 914 | +50 |
| t7. | Tulane | 310 | 311 | 294 | 915 | +51 |
| t7. | SMU | 311 | 318 | 286 | 915 | +51 |
| 9. | USF | 314 | 311 | 299 | 924 | +60 |
| 10. | Tulsa | 304 | 315 | 310 | 930 | +66 |
| HOUSTON LEADERS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |||
| 3. | Megan Thothong | 73 | 72 | 68 | 213 | -3 |
| 4. | Leonie Harm | 70 | 77 | 67 | 214 | -2 |
| 7. | Courtney Tibiletti | 73 | 76 | 70 | 219 | +3 |
| t22. | Amanda Elich | 75 | 77 | 75 | 227 | +11 |
| 31. | Allie Andersen | 79 | 79 | 72 | 230 | +14 |
| OVERALL LEADERS | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |||
| 1. | Taryn Torgerson Wichita State won on first playoff hole | 70 | 77 | 64 | 211 | -5 |
| 2. | Dorthea Forbrigd ECU | 74 | 70 | 67 | 211 | -5 |
| 3. | #55 Megan Thothong Houston | 73 | 72 | 68 | 213 | -3 |
| 4. | #40 Leonie Harm Houston | 70 | 77 | 67 | 214 | -2 |
| 5. | Kaeli Jones UCF | 71 | 75 | 69 | 215 | -1 |
PALM COAST, Fla. -- Saving its very best for last, the University of Houston Women's Golf program posted the low round of the tournament to capture the American Athletic Conference Championships title by 14 strokes on Tuesday at Hammock Beach Golf & Spa Resort.
Finishing with a score of 11-under 277 in the Final Round, the Cougars recorded a three-day, 54-hole total of 870 to earn the program's second conference title in the last three years. The Cougars also received the league's automatic bid and will compete in NCAA Regional play for the fourth straight season, or every year in which the team has been eligible to play in the postseason.
"We knew there would be added expectations coming into this week. We pushed and pushed our young women this year to show what they are capable of, and they went out and did that and more," said Head Coach Gerrod Chadwell. "You can't help but have a big smile on your face when you see your team put themselves out there. To see them perform like this, on this stage, with four birdies on No. 18, was an unbelievable performance. It was a pretty cool week."
With Tuesday's total, the Cougars set the Championships team low round record, besting the previous low score of 283 by SMU in the 2017 Final Round.
Competing in her school-record fourth American Athletic Conference Championships, senior Megan Thothong finished third with a score of 3-under 213 to lead the Cougars and enjoyed a 68 in Tuesday's round. She was one of four Cougars to shoot par or better on the 6,276-yard Conservatory Course on Tuesday and one of three Cougars to finish among the Top-10 leaders.
Starting on No. 1 Thothong overcame a bogey on the par-4 second hole with a birdie on the par-3 third hole and followed that with Cougars' lone eagle of the tournament at the par-5 fourth hole.
Despite bogeys on No. 7 and No. 10, the Dallas native used a strong finish to earn her best finish at The American Championships. Thothong drained back-to-back birdies on Nos. 11-12 and, following four straight pars, closed out the tournament with consecutive birdies on Nos. 17-18.
She earned her third straight Top-8 finish at The American Championships and topped her previous best of sixth at the 2017 tournament.
"Megan doesn't miss a beat. She is prepared, and she excels in the classroom and on the course," Chadwell said. "It was nice to see her put a good round together, especially so close to the lead. It was great to see."
Junior Leonie Harm led the Cougars during the Final Round with a 5-under 67 and finished fourth at 214. Harm enjoyed back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3-4 and overcame her lone bogey of the day on No. 6 with a birdie on the 507-yard, par-5 ninth hole to cap her first nine.
After a birdie on No. 12, the Gerlingen, Germany, native added two birdies on her final three holes to earn her third straight Top-10 showing at The American Championships.
Senior Courtney Tibiletti joined Thothong and Harm among the Top-10 leaders with a 70 and finished seventh at 219. The Huntsville, Texas, native enjoyed birdies on No. 4 and No. 7 on her first nine and drained birdies on the first and last holes of her second nine for her career-best finish at The American Championships.
Competing in her first American Athletic Conference Championships, sophomore Amanda Elich tied for 22nd at 227, while senior Allie Andersen posted an even-par 72 Tuesday and finished 31st at 230.
Wichita State's Taryn Torgerson defeated ECU's Dorthea Forbrigd on the first-hole of a playoff to win medalist honors after both tied at 211 through 54 holes. Torgerson forced the playoff after posting a 64 in Tuesday's action.
UCF and No. 47 ECU tied for second at 884. Memphis (885), Wichita State (905), Cincinnati (914), SMU (915), Tulane (915), USF (924) and Tulsa (930) rounded out the field.
With Tuesday's title, Houston Athletics enjoyed its third American Athletic Conference team championship of the season. Houston Swimming and Diving won its second straight title in March, while the Men's Indoor Track & Field won the league's championship for the fourth straight season and fifth time in the last six years.
UP NEXT
Following the American Athletic Conference Championships, the Cougars learn their NCAA postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show at 4:30 p.m., April 25, on the Golf Channel.
JOIN THE P.A.R. 4 CLUB
Fans are invited to join The P.A.R. 4 Club to support Houston Women's Golf. P.A.R. 4 Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Golf for needs beyond the program's operating budget.
Fans who join the P.A.R. 4 Club can begin receiving benefits for as little as $100 annually.
To join the P.A.R. 4 Club, fans can call 713-743-9417 or email gchadwel@central.uh.edu. For more information about the P.A.R. 4 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
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Players Mentioned
