The Auburn Tigers Women's Golf Team returned to the course this week in the Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah Country Club, looking to add to their momentum coming off a dominant win at the Canadian Women's Invitational last month.
The Tigers started off the first round slow, finishing at four-under, but they caught fire in the second round with a collective ten-under, the third best of the day. The charge was led by a five-under 67 from Junior Anna Davis and a four-under 68 from Sophomore Balma Dávalos. The Tigers stumbled in the final round, collectively shooting one over par.
Dávalos led the Tigers with another high finish, carding an even round 72 to shoot nine-under for the tournament, good enough for T-2. This marks her second consecutive 2nd place after earning individual second in Canada.
Davis finished at two under, good for 28th. Senior Katie Cranston finished 19th with a final score of three under, jumping up 20 spots in the third round. Senior Rachael Gourley finished 70th at ten over, while sophomore Anne Fernandez ended at plus four, T-46. Freshman Charlotte Cantonis, competing as an individual, finished T-46 at four-over par.
As a team, the Tigers finished third out of the 15-team field, behind the champion UCF Knights, who led wire to wire, and the SMU Mustangs.
The Ilini Invitational was hosted at Medinah Country Club, a world-renowned club that has hosted multiple majors and a Ryder Cup. The scoring average was 72.73, with 13 out of 18 holes playing over par.
Rankings will not be released until later this month, but the Tigers are showing that they are among the nation's best teams with back-to-back solid finishes.
The Tigers will look to continue their success next weekend in Chapel Hill, N.C. for the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational.
