COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Illinois State women's golf team concluded Missouri's Johnie Imes Invitational Tuesday in 10th place, after shooting a 302 in each of the final two rounds to finish with a 906 (302-302-302) at the par-72, 6,204-yard Club at Old Hawthorne. Missouri held their first round lead to win the 14-team field with a three-round total of 861 (288-284-289), six strokes ahead of second-place East Tennessee State.
Senior Kiley Walsh finished with the lowest three-round score for the Redbirds with a total of 5-over-par 221 (72-71-78), placing her in a tie for 19th place on the individual leaderboard. Walsh carded a 1-under-par 71 (36-35) in her second round, which broke her collegiate low of an even par 72. She finished the round with four birdies, with two coming on each side. The senior concluded her tournament with a final round score of a 6-over-par 78 (36-42).
Freshman Tatum King and junior Caitlin Sims led the way for the Redbirds in the third and final round. King carded a 7-over-par 79 (39-40) in the second round. King improved on her second round by recording the low third round team score of a 1-over-par 73 (36-37). King's consistent final round produced two birdies. The freshman concluded the tournament at 229 (77-79-73). Sims fired a 6-over par 78 (39-39) and a 2-over-par 74 (34-40) in her final two rounds. Sims finished her third round strong by playing her last thirteen holes at an incredible 3-under-par. She finished her tournament with a total score of 229 (77-78-74).
Senior Abby Luchtenburg carded a three-round total of 231 (80-74-77). Luchtenburg recorded her lowest round of the tournament with a 2-over-par 74 (37-37) in the second round. She produced two birdies on the back nine. She followed her second round by carding a 5-over-par 77 (40-37).
Sophomore Morgan Savage rounded out the scoring for the Redbirds in the final two rounds. Savage shot an 82 (43-39) in her second round. She then improved her score by three strokes in the final round by shooting 79 (40-39). Savage finished with a three-round total of 237 (76-82-79).
East Tennessee State's Tereza Melecka claimed medalist honors with a three-round score of 206 (71-66-69). Missouri's Emma Allen who held the first round lead, earned second place by finishing with a score of 209 (68-68-73)
"It's been a while since we have been able to walk away from an event talking about consistency and today we can finally do that," said head coach Darby Sligh. "It's been a huge piece of our puzzle moving forward so we will ride that momentum into Kentucky's event at the end of the week. Another big positive for us was being led by a freshman in the final round. That was such a solid round for King from start to finish. I couldn't be more excited about what she's been able to accomplish this tournament. Sims also came through with a really solid finish when we needed her. These are positives that we have to keep building off of next week."
Up Next
Illinois State will look to continue their consistent play this week at Kentucky's Bettie Lou Invitational. The tournament will be hold on Oct. 6-8 at the University Club of Kentucky golf course.
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