If only Oregon could shoot like this everyday. If only Washington State wouldn’t show up in Oregon’s backyard and dominate like it did Tuesday. If only Washington State sophomore Kim Welch wore green and yellow. If only.
Oregon, hosting its own Duck Invitational at Shadow Hills Country Club in Junction City, had its best round of the season Tuesday at the par-72, 5,953-yard course.
The Ducks carded a team-low 299 in the last of three rounds Tuesday, led by freshman sensation Therese Wenslow’s round of 74, which placed her in a tie for 10th place. It was also Wenslow’s third top 10 finish in seven tournament appearances. Oregon leapfrogged one spot in the final round, finishing the tournament 7th overall with a combined score of 940.
Oregon’s spectacular final round was upstaged by the defending individual champion, sophomore Kim Welch of Washington State.
Welch shot a one-under-par final round to finish an amazing 7-under-par, ahead of San Diego State’s Shayna Miyajima by 14 strokes. Maria Kostina of Washington State finished third overall at 226 and, along with Welch, led the Cougars to a team total 896 and an 18-stroke victory over SDSU. Missouri came in third at 916, followed by Portland State, Colorado and Idaho.
Welch, who set a course record during Monday’s second round with a 4-under-par 68, earned her second consecutive Oregon Duck Invitational individual title. The Sacramento, Calif., native won the event last year at Mallard Creek Golf Course in Lebanon.
Junior Lacy Erickson finished in the second-highest position of her career. She tied for 27th with a three-round score of 237. Erickson finished 15th at Arizona State as a freshman. Freshman Erin Andrews posted her best finish as a Duck with a 238, tying for 29th overall.
Oregon fielded two teams in the event, the second of which was led by senior Annie Davis, who shot a career-low 75 Tuesday, which culminated in a career-best finish, 36th. Sophomore Jess Carlyon tied for 34th overall at 239, also the second-highest finish of her career. The Ducks’ second squad moved up one spot Tuesday to 10th at 978.
Oregon continues its season in the UCLA Bruin Classic, March 24-26.