Sophomore Johnna Nealy led the Oregon Ducks in style Wednesday as the team captured ninth place in its first spring tournament of the year.
Oregon, which hasn’t played in a tournament since it finished 11th in the UNLV Founder’s Day Club Tournament, Nov. 12-13, shot 305 and 307 in the first two rounds Tuesday and followed that performance with a team score of 309 Wednesday. Oregon finished with a combined 921 in the 14-team tournament at the Corral de Tierra Country Club, a par-72, 5,938-yard course.
Nealy, who shot a career-low 69 in the first round, followed her Oregon record-scoring round with a 75-stroke second round, and a 77-stroke third. Nealy, who tied an Oregon sophomore record previously set by former Duck Jerilyn White, concluded the Tournament tied for seventh place with a combined score of 221.
“She played an incredible round of golf (Tuesday),” head coach Shannon Rouillard. “I am really proud of her.”
Freshman Therese Wenslow improved by 11 strokes on Wednesday from her first round score, to finish in a tie for 40th overall, followed closely by fellow freshman Erin Andrews, who finished 45th overall. Freshman Michelle Timpani finished tied for 55 with a score of 239, followed by sophomore Jess Carlyon who ended up 60th overall with a two day total of 242.
Pepperdine ran away with the team title after a team score of 846 had it 36 strokes ahead of second-place UCLA. Katherine Hull of Pepperdine was the individual winner with a 16-under par 221.
Oregon has little rest before it hosts the Oregon Duck Invitational at Shadow Hills Country Club, March 10-11.