Dawgs Finish Third at PING/ASU Invite

Sunday, April 9

Tempe, AZ

All Day

University of Washington

PING/ASU Invite

April 09, 2017 | Women's Golf

TEMPE, Arizona – The University of Washington women's golf team saved its best round for last as it posted a 5-under 283 on Sunday at the PING/ASU Invitational to climb two spots and finish in third place at even-par 864 (287-294-283). Washington's 5-under on Sunday was the second best score of the day and the fourth best round out of the 14 teams over the 54-hole tournament at Karsten Golf Course. It was also UW's best finish of the season as they have been at 10-over or less over the last two events.

"It was really good to see our group respond well today during the final round," said head coach Mary Lou Mulflur. "At this time of year, to see us get things moving in the right direction is very promising. We've continued to build off of our momentum and are healthy, so we feel confident heading forward, especially after this tournament."

The 47^th-ranked Huskies finished higher than No. 15 Baylor, No. 27 San Diego State, No. 38 SMU, No. 45 UNLV and No. 46 Kansas State, only falling behind No. 5 Arizona State (1^st) and No. 17 Arizona (17^th).

Washington was led by freshman Ellen Takada as she knocked in seven birdies with just one blemish to finish at 6-under 66 over the final 18 holes. Her three-day total of 5-under 311 (71-74-66) placed her fourth overall which was an 11-spot climb on the leaderboard during the final round. It was Takada's second-straight top-five showing in her young UW career and is the fourth top-5 effort by a Husky and eighth top 10 finish.

"Ellen just really showed what she was capable of doing this week," said Mulflur. "She's stayed calm and confident and hasn't been rattled which is positive to see. She's been strong for us and hope she continues to build off of that."

Takada birdied four of her first nine holes to make the turn at 4-under and despite a bogey on hole 14, responded with three straight birdies en route to her best round at UW, which also ties for the lowest round by a Dawg this season, joining sophomore Wenyung Keh in the 66 club.

Keh also continued her stellar play as she finished tied for 11^th with a three-round total of 1-under 215 (70-73-72). The sophomore birdied three holes over the final 18 holes to earn her second-straight top 15 finish and her fifth of the season.

Sophomores Julianne Alvarez and Sarah Rhee each tied for 29th with their 5-over 221. Alvarez matched her first round score on Sunday as she knocked in a 1-over 73 to climb three spots on the leaderboard en route to her 221 (73-75-73). Rhee went 73-72-76 for her third top 30 finish of the 2016-17 season.

Rounding out the UW crew was freshman Karen Miyamoto, who finished tied for 39^th with a 7-over 223 (73-78-72) following her best round of the event, going even-par 72 over Sunday's final 18 holes. In her six events as a Husky, Miyamoto has carded four top 30 finishes and four rounds at even-par or lower.

Host Arizona State took home the team title finishing with a 25-under 893 (278-288-273), 20 strokes ahead of second place Arizona (5-under 859). Roberta Liti of Arizona State earned the individual crown with her 10-under 206 (69-69-68), as the only player to shoot under 70 in every round.

Washington next heads to the 2017 Pac-12 Championships Monday April 24-Wednesday April 26 in Tucson, Arizona hosted by the Wildcats. The final round on Wednesday will be aired on the Pac-12 Networks.