MEDINAH, Ill. – Illinois women's golf finished the first day of the Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah in fourth place after carding a team total of 852 (-12) at the Medinah Country Club.
Illinois finished top eight in par 3s and par 4s as well as second in par 5s. The Illini also tied for the tournament lead in eagles, were top seven in birdies, and top five in made pars.
Anna Ritter finished the tournament with a final round score of 74 (+2). Overall, she shot 67-71-74 [212 (-4)] setting a new career low 54-hole score. Ritter was top five in par 5s and seventh in total pars. She finished tied for 15th.
"Our team finished fourth in a strong field at our "home" event at Medinah Country Club." Ritter said. "Since the first and second day had very different conditions, each day required different strengths of your game to be successful. Day 1 (the 36 hole day) the conditions were firm so we all had wedges and short irons into most greens, so wedge play was very important to give yourself birdie opportunities. I personally took advantage of that the first day and played solid. It rained before and during the second round so the fairways were a lot more receptive which led to the course playing longer. A lot more long irons were used. As a team we are looking to use our finish as fuel and momentum for our final tournament of the fall in two weeks at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, NC."
Alexis Myers and Brielle Mapanao both shot a final 73 (+1). Myers tied for 19th with a score of 73-67-73 [213 (-3)]. She was in top three for par 5s. Mapanao propelled by a season-low first round scored 70-72-73 [215 (-1)] to finish 31st.
Victoria Zheng finished with a final round of 74 (+2). Zheng finished top three in par 3s and tied for second in total pars. She scored 71-71-74 [216 (E)] to tie for 37th.
Erica Lee scored a third round of 78 to have a final score of 73-75-78 [226 (+6)]. Lee tied for 57th.
Individually, Tavia Burgess had a strong final round 71 (-1) trying for her best round of the season. She finished top three in par 3s. Burgess shot 73-73-71 [217 (+1)] placing her tied for 41st.
Sofia Vargas and Kylie Eaton had a final round score of 78 (+6). Vargas finished the tournament with a score of 67-78-78 [223 (+7)] tying her for 62nd. Eaton finished with 80-74-78 [232 (+16)] placing her tied for 81st.
Sophia Sulkar shot a final round 85 (+13) putting her at 81-83-85 [249 (+33)] for the tournament. She placed 83rd.
Next the Illini will head to Willmington N.C., to compete in the Landfall Tradition on Oct. 24-26.
