By Lindsay Gaesser, SDA Media Relations
Kona, Hawai’i—Sophomore Monica Vaughn’s career-low 67 lifted the Arizona State women’s golf team to its first top-five finish of the season at the Pac-12 Preview on Tuesday. Tying for fifth place with third-ranked Southern California, the Sun Devils shot a 16-over 892 (304-300-288) at the par-73, 6,392-yard Nanea Golf Club in Kona, Hawai’i.
The only team under par through 54 holes, first-ranked Washington took home the team title with an 11-under 865. UCLA (No. 5), Stanford (No. 4), and in-state rival Arizona (No. 14) finished in second, third, and fourth places, respectively. The Bruins’ Alison Lee held on for the win on the individual side, edging out the Huskies’ SooBin Kim by a stroke.
“Our girls really battled till the end and won the day,” said ASU head coach Melissa Luellen. “Monica was a golf machine today! I have video of several putts that she drained. It’s like an ESPN highlight video.”
The final round of the Pac-12 Preview has proved to be Vaughn’s time to shine. Last season, she tied her then career-low 69 in the final round, securing a third place finish overall. After shooting a 6-over 152 through the first two rounds this time around, the sophomore scorched the final 18 holes with seven birdies and an eagle.
"I think that the experience from last year and the first two rounds this year really helped me dial everything in today, especially my putter," said Vaughn. "I struggled the first day with my putter and I really learned a lot about the slope and speed of the greens. Tuesday I didn't have a single three putt. Also, I think I knew it was the last day for the team to move up the leader board and we really wanted a top-five finish, so I was just grinding it out for the team."
Vaughn’s 6-under 67 on Tuesday propelled her from 26th place to seventh place, and her 15 birdies throughout the tournament tied her with UCLA’s Lee for most birdies carded.
"It feels so great that I tied for most birdies of the tournament," said Vaughn. "That's a huge confidence booster for me because in the past I've had to rely on so many pars to create a good round. It's great to know that I can make so many birdies, but at the same time I have to recognize that I made 15 birdies and shot even for the tournament. So I have some work to do. The par-4s are where I'm the weakest, so it's just about placement off the tee and being able to get up and down from around the greens."
Senior Noemi Jimenez and freshman Sophia Zeeb also finished in the top 25. Jimenez tied for 19th with a 5-over 224 (74-75-75), while Zeeb tied for 21st with a 6-over 225 (74-77-74). Zeeb carded her first career eagle on Tuesday on the par-4 fifth hole.
Freshman Roberta Liti improved her score from the previous two rounds, shooting an even par 73 on Tuesday. Through 54 holes, Liti shot a 7-over 226 (78-75-73), tying her for 26th.
As a team, the Sun Devils were 7-under on par-5 holes, which was a close second to Washington’s 8-under. With two eagles on Tuesday, Arizona State tied for first with Stanford in eagles carded. Individually, Jimenez led the pack on par-3 holes at 3-under, while Vaughn topped the competition on par-5 holes at 7-under.
“This was a great way to finish the fall season after a rocky start,” said Luellen. “Missy and I are extremely proud of this Sun Devil team.”
"I'm very happy with the team's performance today and I think we have a lot more of that in us come spring time," added Vaughn. "We fought hard today and I know that if we can fight like that every day of the tournament, good things will come our way."
The Pac-12 Preview closes Arizona State women’s golf’s fall campaign. The Sun Devils return to action in February when they head to Palos Verdes, Calif., to compete in the Northrop Grumman Invitational.
| T5 | Arizona State | 304 | 300 | 288 | 892 | +16 |
| 7 | Monica Vaughn (3) | 78 | 74 | 67 | 219 | E |
| T19 | Noemi Jimenez (1) | 74 | 75 | 75 | 224 | +5 |
| T21 | Sophia Zeeb (4) | 74 | 77 | 74 | 225 | +6 |
| T26 | Roberta Liti (2) | 78 | 75 | 73 | 226 | +7 |
| T41 | Ashleigh Greenham (5) | 83 | 76 | 74 | 233 | +14 |