Sept. 8, 2008
The No. 2 Arizona State women's golf team turned some heads today as they won their season-opener. Led by top 10 finishes from Anna Nordqvist, Azahara Munoz and Jennifer Osborn, the Sun Devils, who were in third after the first two rounds, surged ahead of the rest of the pack to finish first at the NCAA Fall Preview held at the par 72, 6,216 yard Caves Valley Golf Course in Owing Mills, Md. The Sun Devils shot an 8-over 872 (295-291-286) to win their first NCAA Fall Preview since 1994.
"This is really exciting because the Fall Preview is probably second-rated for field strength other than the NCAA Championship," says seventh-year head coach Melissa Luellen. "All the top teams are here with the exception of UCLA and this is the first fall preview the team has won since Missy [Farr-Kaye] and I have been coaching here at ASU. I am very proud of the team."
The Sun Devils dedicated their victory to associate head coach Missy Farr-Kaye who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and will not be traveling with the team in the fall.
"Coach Kaye said it was fun to watch all the circles (birdies) appear on Golfstat," says Luellen. "We dedicated this tournament to her. She is such an inspiration to all of us and we are really excited to have her come with us when we come back here in May."
Nordqvist shot a 2-under 214 (69-76-69) to finish second overall. The junior All-American carded a 3-under 69 in the final round to move from ninth to second. Nordqvist, who won the Ladies British Amateur this summer, recorded six birdies in the final round.
Reigning NCAA individual champion Munoz shot an even par 216 (75-70-71) to tie for fourth. The senior from Malaga, Spain hit in three birdies to finish 1-under 71 in the final round. Munoz's fellow senior Jennifer Osborn was the third Sun Devil to place in the top 10 finishing ninth. Osborn carded a 2-over 218 (75-69-74) to tie for ninth. Osborn shot a 74 in the final round to remain in the top-10. Junior Juliana Murcia had a strong third round, shooting an even 72 to finish 25th. Murcia carded an 8-over 224 (76-76-72) over the tournament. Liisa Kelo finished tied for 66th at 32-over 248 (83-79-86).
"The team played so well and they really turned it on in the back nine," says Luellen. "I am really proud of them."
The Sun Devils roster will not be complete until January when freshmen Carlota Ciganda and Giulia Molinaro will come in.
"It is really exciting to start the year on a good note and is even more exciting to know we've got new talent coming in January," says Luellen. "The girls are really competitive and are not waiting until spring to make a statement."