ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – With one of the best rounds in Pepperdine women's golf history,
Momoka Kobori came from behind to capture her first college title at the season-opening Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational on Tuesday.
Kobori started the day tied for 10th place and six shots back of first, but fired an 8-under 64, which tied the third-best round in program history and was one shot away from the record. That gave her a 9-under 207 for the two-day tournament and a two-shot victory.
For the second straight year, the Waves had the medalist but finished second in the team competition. The Waves had a one-stroke lead heading into Tuesday but wound up in second with a 9-under 855 (280-289-286) at the par-72 UNM Championship Course, seven shots back of Kent State.
Pepperdine's team score of 9-under is the seventh-best 54-hole score in program history.
PLAYER SCORES
- Senior Momoka Kobori (Rangiora, New Zealand) also put her name on Pepperdine's 54-hole records list, with her score of 8-under tying her for sixth all-time. She shot 69-74-64 over the three rounds. Her 8-under 64 today was flawless, with eight birdies and zero bogeys. After starting with four pars, she ran off three straight birdies on 5, 6 and 7. Her success continues with birdies on 9, 11, 12, 14 and 17. Kobori led all players with 15 birdies for the tournament.
- Freshman Alexa Melton (Covina, Calif./South Hills HS), making her college debut, tied for fourth with a 6-under 210 (69-68-73). The 6-under ties the fourth-best 54-hole score ever by a Pepperdine freshman. She had three birdies during her final round.
- Junior Megan Dennis (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom/Florida Tech), a transfer appearing for the Waves for the first time, tied for 23rd at 219 (71-74-74). She had one birdie on Tuesday.
- Sophomore Sifan He (Shanghai, China) tied for 51st at 226 (78-73-75). She had three birdies in her final round.
- Freshman Reese Guzman (Kahului, Hawai'i/Maui HS) tied for 58th at 227 (71-76-80). She had one birdie on Tuesday.
- Playing as an individual, sophomore Kathrine Chan (Richmond, B.C., Canada) tied for 40th at 224 (74-78-72). Her even-par final round included five birdies.
QUOTABLE
Pepperdine Coach
Laurie Gibbs said: "I'm very proud of the team. The beginning of the season is always very busy and the players did a great job of preparing to compete. Coach Rich and I are very excited for this season. Momoka is a very special person who has worked hard on her game. Today's 64 and tournament win are wonderful accomplishments for her at the start of her senior year."
Momoka Kobori said: "I felt like I was playing pretty solid for the first two rounds, but today everything really came together. I hit a lot of greens, moreso than usual, and got it close and that gave me a lot of chances for birdies. I'm really happy with how everyone played. We have a chance to get some momentum going and have some good results as a team."
UP NEXT
Pepperdine's second tournament is at the Washington State Cougar Cup next Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 16-17).
THE NUMBERS
Team Standings: 1. Kent State 848;
2. Pepperdine 855; T3. Iowa State 862; T3. Ole Miss 862; 5. San Diego State 863; 6. Mississippi State 867; 7. Indiana 875; 8. Nevada 880; 9. New Mexico 883; 10. UC Davis 887; 11. Nebraska 892; 12. UNLV 900; 13. Iowa 902; T14. Idaho 911; T14. Colorado State 911.
Individual Leaders: 1. Momoka Kobori (Pepperdine) 207; T2. Karoline Stormo (Kent State) 209; T2. Priscilla Schmid (Indiana) 209; T4. Caley McGinty (Kent State) 72-69-69=210;
T4. Alexa Melton (Pepperdine) 210.
