Golf ties for first in inaugural WU Spring Invitational

The No. 2 Washington University women’s golf team hosted a tournament for the first time in its history and walked away tied for first.

Wash. U. and NAIA No. 4 William Woods University tied for first place with scores of 611, though William Woods took the win on a tiebreaker. Junior Hannah Buck also finished tied for first with a score of 148 (+4) but also finished second on a tiebreaker.

“We are confident right now,” Buck said. “There was some pressure on us for this tournament since it was our tournament and our home course, but I think we did well.”

In the final round, Buck shot a 73 (+1), which was tied for the highest total on the day. Freshman Olivia Lugar was one stroke back with a 74, good for a tie for fourth place, and sophomore Andi Hibbert added a 76 as the Bears collectively shot a 307 on day two.

“I played pretty well; I hit 16 greens, which is pretty high, and only missed one fairway,” Lugar said. “The only thing that I wasn’t that great at was on the green, [since] I two-putted everything, and I didn’t make many birdies. I couldn’t do anything with the great play I was having.”

The Bears entered Sunday’s final round tied for first with Division II Drury University after each team shot a 304 (+16). Buck and Lugar each were tied for seventh place by shooting a 75 (+3).

“I could not be more happy about the way we played [Saturday] in the inaugural WU Spring Invitational,” head coach Sean Curtis said. “The golf course is in great shape and was a good field with great weather. We could not ask for anything better and [are] looking forward to another great day of golf.”

Hibbert and sophomore Allyson Chee each shot 77 (+5) on Saturday afternoon, good for a tie for 13th. Senior Katie Homa (89, +17) hit No. 5 for the Red and Green.

“I think we are all playing well,” Buck said. “If we get that day where all of us shoot our best; I think we are all waiting for that day where it all comes together. We are all playing well and shooting good scores.”

The highlight of the day may have come from Hibbert on the ninth hole, where she sank a 50-foot putt for par.

“I was already two over [par] after [hole] seven, so I actually was trying to make it,” Hibbert said. “There were only a few minor breaks, so I just trusted my line.”

Wash. U. takes a week off during the Masters before returning to action for the Illinois Wesleyan University Spring Fling, hosted in Normal, Ill. The team will tee off at 8 a.m. on April 14.