University of Washington
PING Sun Devil Invitational
Thomas Posts 23rd Career Top 10 Finish as UW Claims Fifth at PING/ASU Invitational
April 10, 2016 | Women's Golf
TEMPE, Ariz. – University of Washington senior Charlotte Thomas carded her 23rd career top 10 finish on Sunday at the PING/ASU Invitational as she tied for seventh at 1-over 217 leading the Dawgs to a fifth-place showing at the stacked tournament. No. 13 Washington earned its seventh top-five effort of the season after climbing three spots over the final 18 holes despite rainy and windy conditions at the Karsten Golf Course to finish at 16-over 880. Washington's final round of 4-over 292 was the fourth-best effort of the day.
“I was really proud of our group today, especially considering the weather conditions,” said head coach Mary Lou Mulflur. “How we finished the last 27 holes was a great way to give us some momentum heading into the postseason. We played more loose and with a little more freedom, which is what helped us get the results we had today.”
Thomas was one of four Huskies who made moves up the leaderboard over the final 18 holes as she jumped into the top 10 with her final round of 1-over 73. Thomas posted three birdies en route to her 23rd career top 10 finish and her sixth this season. The senior is one top 10 finish away from tying the UW career record and her six this year tie for eighth, two off of the single-season school record of eight.
“Charlotte just keeps getting closer to that career top 10 finishes record and she's been playing really well,” added Mulflur. “To finish tied for seventh against a really tough field is something to be proud of.”
Freshman Sarah Rhee carded the best finish of her young career as she climbed 11 spots during Sunday's blustery round to finish at 4-over 220, tying for 17th. The Seattle native has now posted back-to-back top 20 efforts for the Dawgs.
“Sarah has been in and out of the lineup and hasn't wavered at all,” said Mulflur. “To get out there and really have a good round today especially with tough conditions is very impressive.”
Senior Ying Luo made the biggest improvement on the scoreboard during the final round as she recorded her best round of the tournament at even-par 72 to finish tied for 22nd, after starting the day tied for 37th. Luo has finished in the top 25 in all but one of UW's 12 tournaments this season.
Freshman Julianne Alvarez matched her day-two round of 1-over 73 to move up 13 spots into a tie for 38th with her overall score of 9-over 225 (79-73-73). Freshman Wenyung Keh closed out the UW contingent as she finished at 12-over 228 (76-76-77) to tie for 53rd.
Third-ranked UCLA took home the team title with a 12-under 852 while 11th-ranked Arizona State came in second at 6-under 858 and No. 1 Alabama finished third with a 5-under 859. The Bruins' Bronte Law claimed the individual title with a 12-under 204.
Washington's fifth-place finished wrapped up the 2015-16 regular season as the Dawgs next head to the 2016 Pac-12 Championships, Monday-Wednesday, April 18-20 in Pleasanton, Calif.
Players Mentioned
