Kansas Women's Golf Places Second at Indiana Invitational
April 14, 2013
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Kansas junior Thanuttra “Fhong” Boonraksasat placed second individually in leading the KU women’s golf team to a runner-up finish at the Indiana Invitational at the Indiana University Golf Course here Sunday.
Boonraksasat was one of three Jayhawks to end the Indiana Invitational in the top 10 individually. She shot a 1-over par 73 on Sunday to finish with a 54-hole 229 (+6), which was five strokes behind medalist Elizabeth Tong of Indiana in the 85-player field. Boonraksasat entered the day tied for third after her 75 and 74 carded in Saturday’s first two rounds. KU freshman Yupaporn Kawinpakorn maintained her eighth place position with a 2-over 74 on Sunday to finish 9-over at (78-73-74—225). With her 1-over 73 on Sunday, KU senior Audrey Yowell moved up six places to place tied for ninth overall at 226 (+10). Yowell shot 74-79 on Saturday.
“Fhong did a great job of being consistent throughout the tournament,” Kansas head coach Erin O’Neil said of Boonraksasat who finished tied for fourth at the Briar’s Creek Invitational in her last event. “She’s had two solid tournaments back-to-back and is playing real well. I think anytime we shoot consistent scores like we did, our mindset is in the right place and we are making the right decisions.”
The fight for the team title was a two school race between Kansas and host Indiana. KU entered Sunday five strokes behind Indiana and the Jayhawks were able to cut two strokes into the lead with the lowest team round of the event at 293 (+5). But Indiana shot a 295 Sunday to edge KU by three strokes; IU shot a 298-297-295—890 (+26), while Kansas ended 304-296-293—893 (+29). Eastern Michigan placed third in the 15-team field with a +56 (313-307-297—917).
“All of them (the Jayhawks) did a real good job of staying in their game and playing to their strengths,” O’Neil said. “They focused on what was in their control and not getting caught up in what Indiana was doing. They improved each round. We didn’t give anything away, IU earned it. We didn’t give it to them by any stretch. This will be a good confidence booster.”
As a team, Kansas’ 293 on Sunday was its lowest final round of the 2012-13 season and its second lowest round of the year. KU shot a 292 in the opening round of the Sir Pizza Terrapin Challenge in February.
After shooting a 2-under 70 in her second round Saturday afternoon, Kansas junior Meghan Potee carded a 3-over 75 and placed 12th in the event. Like Yowell, KU sophomore Minami Levonowich moved up six spots individually shooting a 1-over 73 Sunday. Levonowich ended the tournament 77-79-73—229 (+13), good for a tie for 16th. Jayhawk sophomore Gabby DiMarco was the top finisher among the 10-person field of individuals at 233 (+17, 77-80-76), which is tied for 27th overall.
“This reinforces that they can do it,” O’Neil said. “That they have the ability and all their hard work is paying off. If you have to pick a time for it to show up, this is when you want it to happen. We’re definitely peaking at the right time.”
Kansas will next play in the 2013 Big 12 Championship April 19-21 at the Harvester Golf Club in Rhodes, Iowa. Iowa State University will host the conference event.
Indiana Invitational
Indiana University Golf Course * Bloomington, Ind. * Par 72
April 13-14, 2013 * Final Results
1. Indiana – 298-297-295—890
2. KANSAS – 304-296-293—893
3. Eastern Michigan – 313-307-297—917
4. Toledo – 308-308-302—918
5. Ball State – 312-313-299—924
6. Illinois State – 314-314-300—928
7. IUPUI – 308-319-304—931
8. Dayton – 317-313-304—934
9. Akron – 314-316-310-939
T10. Bradley – 315-317-314—946
T10. Southern Illinois – 324-311-311—946
12. Indiana (B) – 332-324-317—973
13. Evansville – 323-338-314—975
14. Valparaiso – 330-327-323—980
15. Drake – 335-330-327—992
Top 10 Individuals (Par 72-72-72—216)
1. Elizabeth Tong, Indiana – 71-75-71—217
2. Thanuttra Boonraksasat, KANSAS – 75-74-73—222
T3. Kate Coons, Indiana – 74-75-74—223
T3. Katie Jean, Illinois State – 76-75-72—223
T3. Sarah Johnson, Eastern Michigan – 7975-69—223
T6. Lauren Kuss, IUPUI – 70-79-75—224
T6. Corey Crossan, Eastern Michigan – 73-78-76—224
8. Yupaporn Kawinpakorn, KANSAS – 78-73-74—225
T9. Audrey Yowell, KANSAS – 74-79-73—226
T9. Kristen Schelling, Indiana – 75-75-76—226
T9. Rosie Davies, Indiana – 78-72-76—226
Other Kansas Golfers
T12. Meghan Potee, KANSAS – 82-70-75—227
T16. Minami Levonowich, KANSAS – 77-79-73—229
T27. Gabby DiMarco, KANSAS (individual) – 77-80-76—233
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