In Southern California, “bad weather” is not a phrase you hear too often. That wasn’t the case this week in Palos Verdes.
As the 14th Annual Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge concluded Wednesday, the top-ranked UCLA women’s golf team battled cold and wet weather conditions to finish third.
The Bruins posted a team final round score of 298 (+14), their best round of the tournament.
Their 54-hole score totaled to 917 (+65), one stroke short of second place, which was awarded to No. 11 Wake Forest.
With its revamped roster, No. 3 Arizona State nabbed the championship with a final score of 898 (+46), beating the second-place team by 18 strokes.
No. 2 USC finished fourth, two strokes behind the Bruins, and No. 19 Denver came in fifth with a final score of 929 (+77).
“In golf, there are so many shots that could be better,” sophomore Maria Jose Uribe said. “Wake Forest came from behind. We thought we were fighting the second spot with ‘SC.”
Uribe said that the weather conditions affected the team’s game on the first day.
The Bruins posted a team score of 314 (+30) in round one, notching eight double-bogeys in the back nine.
Senior Ryann O’Toole led all UCLA scores, placing fourth with an individual score of 225 (+12), marking her third top-10 finish of the season. She carded an even par 71 in the final round.
Since she was entered in the tournament as an individual competitor, her score was not counted toward the team totals.
“(O’Toole’s performance) is evidence that shows how our team is so strong this year,” Uribe said. “We’re really happy for her.”
All-American senior Tiffany Joh finished seventh after carding 75 (+4) in the final round and 226 (+13) for all three rounds.
Freshmen Stephanie Kono placed 11th with a score of 229 (+16).
After carding 82 (+11) and sitting in 45th place following the first round, both Uribe and fellow sophomore Glory Yang tied for 13th at 231 (+18).
Junior Sydnee Michaels finished in 34th at 236 (+23).
“I figured out my putting, (and) I putted really well today,” Uribe said. “Just staying calm really helped me. It was a good comeback, and it gave me a confidence boost for the next tournament.” Uribe carded 74 (+3) in the final round.
“It was definitely not our best tournament, but it was a wake-up call,” Uribe said.
Arizona State’s Julian Murcia took the lead in the tournament and never looked back after carding 70 (-1) on the first day.
She captured the individual championship with a total score of 214 (+1).
Her Sun Devil teammate Carlota Ciganda, one of ASU’s newest additions, tied with USC’s Jennifer Song for 2nd at 222 (+9).