SIMPSONVILLE, Ky. – The No. 20 Fighting Illini women's golf team earned their second tournament title this season on Sunday at the University of Louisville Golf Club (par 72, 6,303 yards) in Simpsonville, Ky. Participating in the Cardinal Cup for the fourth consecutive year, the Orange and Blue posted a three-round total of 863 (-1). Their 5-under par 283 in the third-round ties them ninth overall for the lowest team round in program history.
"Yesterday, we faced some challenging conditions and I think that was a huge step forward for us," said head coach Renee Slone. "We adapted to the changing conditions and remained mentally strong. It was a tremendous growth opportunity for us, which I hope will pay dividends down the road."
Atop of the leaderboard the entire time, the Illini (-1) finished 19 strokes ahead of Big Ten opponent Maryland (+18), who finished runner-up. Reigning Cardinal Cup champions and host No. 38 Louisville round out the top three with a 19-over par total.
The Orange and Blue were led by the 1-2 punch of junior Tristyn Nowlin and senior Bing Singhsumalee. Both have garnered many accolades in their careers, including earning All-Big Ten honors. The returners added to that growing list on Sunday.
"Tristyn (Nowlin) played an outstanding round of golf yesterday afternoon," noted Slone. "Given the weather conditions, the par was not 72, I would put it at 74. Even though she was not feeling well, she managed herself well and put together three great rounds of golf."
Behind a career-best finish, Nowlin captured the individual title at the Cardinal Cup for her first career victory. Nowlin finished the two-day event with a 6-under par 210. This ties the Kentucky native for the third lowest 54-hole tournament total in program history, putting her in the company of current Illini Kornkamol Sukaree and former alumni Hailey Koschmann and Grace Park. She also tied a season-best low round on Sunday with a 3-under par 69.
"It feels incredible to finally have my first individual win," noted Nowlin. "I have been close a few times, and this weekend I was able to put three good rounds together and come out with the win."
Another career-best finish for the Illini, Singhsumalee tied for runner-up with a 216 (E). The Naperville, Ill. native's previous career-best finish was third at the 2016 Lady Paladin Invitational in Greenville, S.C. Singhsumalee posted 12 birdies total, tying teammate Nowlin and Martina Flori of Ole Miss for the top spot in the tournament. In the final round, the lone senior posted eight birdies and recorded a season-best 4-under par 68. The single round score ties for the 10th best individual round in program history.
"Bing (Singhsumalee) had eight birdies today and putted very well," said Slone. "She finished the third round strong playing her final five holes four under."
Freshman duo Sukaree and Crystal Wang join Nowlin and Singhsumalee among the top 15 after two days of competition. Consistent for both days, Sukaree tied for eighth, posting a 220 (+4). This marks her second consecutive top-10 finish of her career. Sukaree was an even par for the first two rounds, carding a first career eagle in the opening round. A force for the Orange and Blue this season, Wang battled back after the second round to finish 222 (+6). Wang impressed in the opening and closing rounds, recording a 71 (-1) in each of those rounds. The Diamond Bar, Calif. native also posted 10 birdies, tying for third overall.
Contributing to the team effort, sophomore Ali Morallos battled her way back after the first round to tie for 31st with a 231 (+15). Starting her rounds on hole 7, she finished the tournament with a birdie on her 54th hole along with birdies on holes 10 and 15.
Playing as individuals, freshmen Katie Hallinan and Lauren Nay tied for 56th and 71st respectively. After enduring the weather conditions on the first day, Hallinan finished strong on Sunday with a 71 (-1) in the final round. This ties her career-best low round score. Nay finished the tournament with a 246 (+30).
Heavy winds throughout the first day inflated the first and second round scores. Nowlin was the only player in the tournament to finish with a total below par.
"Obviously, this is a great confidence booster for us heading into our last tournament," said Nowlin. "A lot of growth was made this weekend, especially with the weather conditions."
The Fighting Illini conclude their fall campaign next week at the Trinity Forest Invitational in Dallas, Texas. The team is scheduled to play Monday through Tuesday at one of America's finest golf courses, the Trinity Forest Golf Club.
"It was a total team effort… everyone stepped up and contributed to this win," noted Slone. "With the conditions we went through yesterday, it is definitely a confidence booster. Playing on a course that is visually and strategically challenging will help us with momentum going into the last tournament of the fall season."
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