Cats Claim Sixth in Mexico (ROCKY POINT)
Llaneza Shoots Even to Lead Arizona on Final Day of Wildcat Invitational
Feb. 24, 2009 – From University of Arizona Official Athletic Website
PUERTO PENASCO, Sonora, Mexico – UCLA fired a final day low round of 1-under 287 to lead wire-to-wire on the way to claiming the 2009 Wildcat Invitational hosted by the University of Arizona, Tuesday afternoon at the Peninsula Golf Club.
The Bruins finished the three-day event with a team total of 5-over 869, winning the title by nine shots over Pac-10 rivals Arizona State and USC. Oklahoma State shot 296 on the final day and held off Pepperdine for 4th place, edging the Waves by one stroke, 888-889.
The host Wildcats finished sixth overall, shooting 295 on Tuesday to end up at 899 (+35).
A host of players all contended for the individual crown before a pair of competitors ended up sharing the spoils at 3-under 213 for the tournament. Lizette Salas of USC shot 3-under 69 to match the 54-hole total of Jodi Ewart of New Mexico.
Ewart, who was the only player to shoot par or better in all three rounds, shot 70 on Tuesday after shooting 72 and 71 on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Second round leader Carlota Ciganda of Arizona State slipped to a tie for third despite shooting 1-under 71 on Tuesday, sharing the position with Caroline Hedwall of Oklahoma State, who fired a 2-under 70 in her final round.
Stephanie Kono shot even par 72 on Tuesday to claim 5th place at 1-under par while Linn Gustafson of Tulane finished the event at even after shooting 70.
Alejandra Llaneza led the host Wildcats by finishing in a tie for 14th place, firing a final round 72 to finish at 4-over 220. Nikki Koller was two shots back in a tie for 18th after shooting 74 on the final day.
Brittany Benvenuto (+13, 229), Margarita Ramos (+14, 230) and Isabelle Boineau (+16, 232) rounded out the team scoring for Arizona while individuals Emily Mason (+17, 233), Marisa Smith (+37, 253) and Ashley Malaska (+40, 256) also competed for the Wildcats.
