FAIRFAX, Calif. – Senior Marie Lund-Hansen and sophomore Amy Chu each collected the first individual title of their Washington State women's golf careers on Tuesday, March 10, as the duo finished in a tie for first at Meadow Club Invitational. Each player shot 2-under, 214, to finish in a first-place tie and help the Cougars finish second overall on the team leaderboard with a score of 877 (+13).
Both Chu and Lund-Hansen began play on Tuesday within two-strokes of the lead, as Chu sat in a tie for second and Lund-Hansen entered the third round in a tie for fourth. The two Cougars were able to make their move to the top of the player leaderboard with a solid third round at the Meadow Club Golf Course, as Lund-Hansen shot an even-par, 72 to jump up three slots from fourth to first at the end of the tournament, while Chu ended play at 1-over, 73 to help her move from second to first. Both golfers ended the Meadow Club Invitational with a score of 214 (-2) to claim a share of an individual title for the first time in their careers.
"I am so excited for Marie and Amy," said head coach Kelli Kamimura. "They are both extremely focused on being the best they can be and played solid golf on a difficult golf course this week. Both of them have been in position to win during their respective college careers and today they both managed their physical and mental games to tie for medalist honors. It is so special and rare for two teammates to be able to share an individual achievement and I couldn't be happier for them."
Despite splitting the individual title, Washington State was unable to maintain the first-place lead it held going into Tuesday's third round of play at the Meadow Club Invitational. The Cougars posted a team score of 295 (+7) in the third round, but that wouldn't be enough to hold off an Oregon State team that shot a round-best 4-Under, 284 in the third, as the Beavers won the tournament by six strokes with a score of 871 (+7).
"I am so proud of this team," added coach Kamimura. "They have been working hard to reach their full potential and got a taste of what they are capable of when they focus on the process of getting one-day better everyday. They fought hard and put themselves in position to win. It was a solid week and we are looking forward to our next event in Hawaii in two weeks"
Sophomore Darcy Habgood concluded the tournament in a tie for eighth place at 219 (+3) to give WSU it's third top-10 finish at the Meadow Club Invitational. The sophomore strung together her best round of play on Tuesday, as Habgood shot 1-Under, 71 in the third round to help the Cougs seal a second-place finish as a team.
Freshman Jiye Ham wrapped up her stay at the Meadow Club Golf Course in a tie for 46th, as the freshman shot 8-Over, 80 in the third round to end play with a score of 231 (+15). Redshirt junior Emily Baumgart rounded out the team scoring for Washington State, as the redshirt junior ended the tournament in a tie for 58th after posting a 7-Over, 79 in the third round.
Individually, senior Elodie Bridenne ended play in a tie for 46th on the player leaderboard. Bridenne shot 5-Over, 77 during the third round to end her tournament with a score of 231 (+15).
The Washington State women's golf team returns to action on March 23, as the Cougars travel to Maui, Hawai'i to participate in the Anuenue Spring Break Classic. This three-day tournament, hosted by the University of Hawai'i will begin on Monday, March 23, and run through Wednesday, March 25, with one round taking place per day. Check back with WSUCougars.com for a full preview of the Anuenue Spring Break Classic.
