PEORIA, Ariz. – The No. 18 Fighting Illini women's golf team bounced back from a slow spring start to finish third at the Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Ariz. with a three-round total of 855 (-9). The 9-under par ranks fifth overall for the lowest 54-hole tournament in the Illinois record book.
The finish marks the sixth top-three finish for the Illini this season. The Orange and Blue carded rounds at or under-par with 287-288-280 at the tournament. In the final round, the Illini posted a 280 (-8), tying the program's lowest round score. Overall, Illinois posted the second-highest birdie total with 46 and the highest overall in the final day (22).
Big Ten opponent Nebraska captured the top prize with an impressive score of 853 (-11). The Oklahoma sooners were close behind with 854 (-10). Following the Illini was Oregon State with 856 (-8) and Notre Dame and Mississippi tied for fifth (-4). The Michigan Wolverines wrap up the top seven with an 861 (-3).
Freshman Kornkamol Sukaree led the way with a fifth-place finish overall with a 210 (-6). Sukaree's 6-under par ties for the third lowest 54-hole tournament total in program history. The freshman matched this score last fall at the Illini Women's Invitational in Medinah in October. In the final round, Sukaree's 66 (-6) ties the program's lowest single round score, putting her in the company of fellow teammate and lone senior Bing Singhsumalee. This also marks the Thailand native's fourth top-10 finish of her career.
Sophomore Ali Morallos continues to improve her game, finishing 19th overall with a 215 (-1). Morallos matched season-lows in the first and final round with 71 (-1). Senior Bing Singhsumalee impressed in the final round, posting five birdies with four on the backend of the course. Singhsumalee tied for 22nd overall with 216 (E). Also finishing in the top-30 was freshman Crystal Wang, who tied for 24th with 217 (+1). Wang was steady in the opening round with a 71 (-1).
Rounding out the Illini fivesome is freshman Katie Hallinan, who tied for 35th with 218 (+2). After a slow start, Hallinan finished at or under par in her last two rounds. Hallinan matched a career-best low round with a 71 (-1) in the second round.
Playing as an individual, freshman Lauren Nay was steady in the second round with even-par 72 and finishing 90th with 232 (+16).
Up next, the Illini will make its second-consecutive appearance at Briar's Creek Invitational in John Island, S.C. The tournament will be held March 18-19. Last season, Illinois finished third at the tournament with an 867 (+3).
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