A trio of Ducks finished in the top 20 at the Pinehurst Challenge following the final round of play held Tuesday at the par-72, 6,009-yard Pinehurst No. 8 course in North Carolina. The three — Kim McCready, Johnna Nealy and Erin Andrews — helped secure a third-place finish for the Ducks.
Much like last year’s event, which was canceled because of a snow storm, harsh weather conditions hindered play on the final round as golfers battled rain, hail and 40 mph winds.
Leading the Ducks on Tuesday was freshman Victoria Wenslow, who carded a 77. Nealy shot a 78, and McCready and Andrews each scored 81. McCready’s ninth place finish was a team best and her third top-10 finish in six events this season.
Oregon tallied a team score of 945, edging Mississippi State by one stroke for third place.
The team title went to No. 25 Washington State, who was the only ranked team competing at the Challenge. The Cougars recorded 314 in the final round, bringing their final three-round total to 918. UNC Wilmington finished second at 939. The Seahawks’ Becky Berzonski and Michelle Jarman tied at 224 apiece to share the individual title.
Oregon head coach Shannon Rouillard was pleased with how well her team capitalized on opportunities to move up in the field Tuesday.
“I was really glad that we ended up playing today,” Rouillard said. “I knew we were going to have a good chance to move up, and we did.”
Oregon returns home on March 21 to host the Duck Invitational in
Junction City.