Final Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Despite impending weather, the Illinois women's golf team was able to conclude play at the Lady Buckeye Invitational on Sunday, April 19, in Columbus, Ohio. Illinois posted rounds of 310-296-304 for a team score of 910, which was good for sixth place at the outing.

"We had a slow start, but brought it back in the middle of the tournament," opened head coach Renee Slone on her take of the tournament. "We left a lot of shots out there, in particular around the greens. We had a good game plan for the course and our games, however, we struggled to score around the greens."

Stephanie Miller led the way for the Fighting Illini and finished in a tie for 10th individually. After opening the Invitational with a round of 80, Miller fought back, posting rounds of 72 and 73 to make her climb up the leaderboard. The sophomore finished the event at nine-over par (225), but led the Orange and Blue with seven birdies.

"Steph minimized her mistakes in the second and third rounds," Slone stated. "In the first round, the mistakes were too costly. After making adjustments, she was able to capitalize more on her opportunities in the final two rounds."

Not far from Miller was Grace Park, who tied for 16th after a consistent showing. The freshman carded rounds of 76-75-76 for a final score of 227 (+11) along with six birdies.

Finishing third for the Illini was Chayanid Prapassarangkul. After a team-high reading of 81 in the opening round, Prapassarangkul posted the second-lowest rounds for the Illini in both of the following frames. In the second round, the Illinois freshman carded a 73, followed by a 76 to close out the tournament with a 230 (+14).

Dana Gattone contributed the fourth-best showing for Slone's crew. The freshman opened with a 78 and followed up with a 76 in the second round before turning in a 79 in the Sunday morning finale.

Sophomore Emily Joers posted a pair of rounds at 76 to open the Ohio State-hosted event. On the final day of action, she carded an 84 to finish in a tie for 45th with an overall mark of 236 (+20). Joers posted six birdies at the event.

Pimploy Thirati finished the outing with rounds of 81-82-84 respectively, to finish with a share of 68th.

In the team standings, Kent State took home the crown with a team outing of 883 (+19). Ohio State (+22), Michigan State (+26), Indiana (+44) and Kansas State (+46) rounded out the top-five finishers. The Illini took sixth with a reading of 910 (+46), followed by Maryland (+47), Michigan (+54), Iowa (+62), Indianapolis (+67), Toledo (+70) and Akron (+104) in the seventh through 12th spots.

The Fighting Illini open play at the Big Ten Championships this coming Friday, April 24, and go through Sunday, April 26.

Coach Slone shared that in the practices leading up to the trip to Indianapolis the focus will be heavily geared towards the short game and putting.