ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – The Pepperdine women's golf team earned a strong second-place finish at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational on Monday, while
Kaleiya Romero and
Caroline Hwang turned in top-10 performances.
The Waves had a two-day total of 867 (290-287-290) at the par-72 UNM Championship Course. Pepperdine and Denver were tied heading into the final round but the Pioneers were able to edge ahead early, and then held on for a three-shot win. Still, the result should be very beneficial for the Waves, as it includes wins over a pair of Pac-12 teams in #22 Arizona and Washington as well as host #47 New Mexico, among others.
The Waves have now finished second at each of the last three McGuires.
PLAYER SCORES
- Freshman Kaleiya Romero (San Jose, Calif.) had her best finish of the season, taking third place with a 4-under 212 (71-69-72). She finished four shots off the lead. Her even-par round included four birdies today.
- Freshman Caroline Hwang (Orlando, Fla.) tied for eighth at 217 (73-72-72). Her second straight even-par round had three birdies.
- Freshman Lion Higo (Gold Coast, Australia) tied for 13th at 218 (72-73-73). She recorded three birdes today.
- Senior Megan Dennis (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) tied for 23rd at 220 (74-73-73). She birdied the first hole on Monday.
- Sophomore Reese Guzman (Kahului, Hawai'i) tied for 45th at 228 (75-76-77). She had two birdies in the final round.
QUOTABLE
Pepperdine Coach
Laurie Gibbs said: "I am very proud of the team. They all contributed during our two-tournament road trip. We knew that a top finish was needed at New Mexico to qualify for NCAA Regionals and they came through. This was the first of many top-3 finishes for Kaleiya."
UP NEXT
The Waves will go for their 19th West Coast Conference title at the upcoming WCC Championships, set for April 22-24 at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nevada.
THE NUMBERS
Team Standings: 1. Denver 864;
2. Pepperdine 867; 3. Washington 871; 4. Grand Canyon 872; 5. New Mexico 873; 6. New Mexico State 878; 7. Arizona 879; 8. Kansas State 889; 9. Colorado State 895; 10. Northern Arizona 897; 11. Wyoming 940.
Individual Leaders: 1. Carly Strole (Grand Canyon) 208; 2. Camille Enright (Denver) 211;
3. Kaleiya Romero (Pepperdine) 212; 4. Tagiralani Luafalealo (Grand Canyon) 214; T5. Myah McDonald (New Mexico) 215; T5. Niamh McSherry (Kansas State) 215.
