Michigan
Mercedes-Benz Classic
Broderick Records Third Consecutive Top-Five Finish
10/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- For the third straight tournament senior Brianna Broderick (Richmond, Mo./Richmond HS) led the University of Michigan women's golf team as she tied for fifth individually today (Sunday, Oct. 15) among a tough field at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Women's Championship played at Cherokee Country Club.
With 13 ranked schools among the 15-team field, the Wolverines finished 15th as a team with a 937 54-hole tournament total as they faced their biggest challenge of the fall season. With tough greens causing difficulties all weekend long, the Wolverines opened with a 314 total in Friday's first round, and were a stroke better Saturday as they tallied a 313. To close the tournament, Michigan posted a team tournament best with a 310.
Broderick posted her third straight top-five individual finish as she tied for fifth with a five-over 218 total, which was just a single stroke away from tying her career-best mark. After opening with a five-over 76 in Friday's first round, she rallied in Saturday's second round with a one-over 72, using four birdies to help offset two bogeys and a triple bogey. With a 146 total, Broderick put herself among the top 10 in the strong tournament field.
Broderick climbed five spots to tie for fifth after tying her career best with a one-under 70 in today's final round. Starting off the 10th tee for the third straight day, she opened with a bogey, but then posted seven straight pars and a closing birdie to finish her first nine holes at even par. Making the turn to the front nine, she stayed hot and went two under after back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 and 4. A bogey on No. 8 put her back to one under.
Freshman Andrea Ratigan (Tucson, Ariz./Sabino HS) was 63rd with a career-best 238 total. After opening with an 81, she posted a career-best 78 in the second round before closing with a 79. Senior Ali Stinson (Penticton, B.C./Penticton Secondary) was 68th with a 241 total after posting a 79 in the first round and closing with back-to-back 81s.
Other Wolverine finishes include: junior Lindsay Davis (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS), 69th with a 242 total (78-84-80), and freshman Ashley Bauer (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc HS) , 78th with a 251 total (83-82-86). Sophomore Audra Walter (Burton, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) played as an individual and was 80th with a 257 total (86-84-87).
Overall, host and No. 12 Tennessee (298-298-291) used a strong 291 final-round performance to go from third to first with an eight-stroke swing. The Lady Vols finished in a tie with No. 1 Georgia (296-296-295) for the tournament lead after 54 holes with 887 totals. The Lady Vols completed the comeback by winning the team title on the first playoff hole. After leading the tournament field through the first 36 holes No. 10 Auburn (287-301-301) was third at 889.
Using back-to-back one-under 70s, Alabama's Jenny Suh took medalist honors after tallying a one-over 214 tournament total. Southern Methodist's Lacey Jones led after 36 holes but posted a 76 in the final round to finish as the runner-up with a 216 total (67-73-76).
The Wolverines will take a weekend off before heading to Wilmington, N.C., Friday through Sunday, Oct. 27-29, for their fourth strong tournament field of the fall season at the Landfall Tradition. The 54-hole tournament will be play at the Country Club of Landfall.
Team Standings
1. Tennessee@ 298-298-291 = 887 (+35) 2. Georgia 296-296-295 = 887 3. Auburn 287-301-301 = 889 4. Arkansas 303-296-295 = 894 5. Swedish Jr. Nationals 296-306-298 = 900 6. Furman 307-302-292 = 901 7. Florida 307-299-297 = 903 8. North Carolina 297-311-301 = 909 9. Southern Methodist 304-299-307 = 910 10. Kent State 305-299-308 = 912 11. Michigan State 304-309-302 = 915 12. Penn State 310-305-305 = 920 13. Alabama 303-311-310 = 924 14. Northwestern 316-308-304 = 928 15. MICHIGAN 314-313-310 = 937
Top Individuals
1. Jenny Suh, Alabama 74-70-70 = 214 (+1) 2. Lacey Jones, Southern Methodist 67-73-76 = 216 3. Caroline Hedwall, Swedish Jr. Nationals 72-71-74 = 217 Taylor Leon, Georgia 73-72-72 = 217 5. BRIANNA BRODERICK, U-M 76-72-70 = 218 Stacy Lewis, Arkansas 79-69-70 = 218 Angela Oh, Tennessee 72-72-74 = 218 8. Kathleen Ekey, Furman 72-78-69 = 219 9. Jennifer Ackerson, Southern Methodist 75-73-72 = 220 Nicole Hage, Auburn 71-72-77 = 220 Ornella Jouven, Florida 74-73-73 = 220 Whitney Wade, Georgia 76-72-72 = 220
Other Michigan Individuals
63. Andrea Ratigan 81-78-79 = 238 68. Ali Stinson 79-81-81 = 241 69. Lindsay Davis 78-84-80 = 242 78. Ashley Bauer 83-82-86 = 251 80. Audra Walter 86-84-87 = 257* * playing as an individual @ won team playoff
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
