Jayhawks Golfers Finish 1-2 in Defending Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational Title
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas seniors Meghan Potee and Thanuttra “Fhong” Boonraksasat finished 1-2 to lead the KU women’s golf team to its second-straight Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational title Tuesday at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kan.
The Jayhawks held a 13-stroke lead coming into Tuesday’s final round and increased by three strokes to defeat runner-up and host Kansas State 910-926 under windy conditions at the par-72 Colbert Hills course. KU won the team title in the 15-team event which rotates annually between Lawrence and Manhattan. Last year the Jayhawks won the Marilynn Smith Invitational at Alvamar Golf Club in Lawrence. KU has won the event five times under head coach Erin O’Neil (2004, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013).
“I’m very proud of the team for getting the win in Manhattan,” O’Neil said. “It was another tough day with the wind and while we had a few bumps along the way we held it together well. Four of our five (scores) finished in the top 12 individually which shows that we are on the right track.”
Senior leadership paved the way for the Jayhawks as Potee (75-75-74-224) captured the first individual collegiate tournament title of her career with a 224 (+8) and Boonraksasat (78-74-74-227) took second place, three strokes behind Potee at +11.
“Meghan played very steady all three rounds and gave herself a lot of looks at birdie,” O’Neil said. “It was awesome to see her earn her first win, especially at the Marilynn Smith. Fhong also came back and finished strong in the last two rounds to have a great tournament too.”
Entering her final round in third place, Potee posted four birdies on Tuesday and shot a 2-over 74.
“I played really steady this week and didn’t get too frustrated if things didn’t go my way,” Potee said. “That seemed to be key for playing in the gusting winds. I got off the tee really well and just tried to keep it around par. Bogies were not bad this week and I had a few birdies to cover up some of those to post three pretty good rounds.”
Three other Jayhawks also finished in the top 12 as junior Minami Levonowich turned in a strong performance en route to an eighth-place finish. Levonowich (78-76-78) jumped two spots on the leaderboard in her final round to finish in sole possession of eighth at 232 (+16). Sophomore Yupaporn “Mook” Kawinpakorn (72-74-89-235, +19) placed in a tie for 12th on the heels of her strong Monday rounds. Junior Gabby DiMarco (81-80-74-235, +19) shot a 2-over 74 Tuesday to tie Kawinpakorn for 12th, while junior Michelle Woods (82-80-75-237, +21) carded a 3-over 75 to tie for 17th in the 81-golfer field. KU freshman Pornvipa Sakdee (83-78-81-242, +26) ended her second collegiate tournament tied for 32nd. DiMarco and Woods played as individuals in the tournament.
Kansas has started out the 2013-14 season strong. Besides the Marilynn Smith Invitational title, the Jayhawks took second place last week at the Cardinal Cup in Louisville, Ky., in their season-opening tournament.
The Jayhawks are back in action next week at the Challenge at Onion Creek in Austin, Texas. The 54-hole event kicks off with two rounds on Monday, September 30 and concludes with a final round on Tuesday, October 1.
Marilynn Smith Sunflower Invitational
Colbert Hills golf Course * Manhattan, Kan. * Par-72
September 23-24 – Final Results
Team Standings
1. KANSAS: 303-299-308-910
2. Kansas State: 313-302-311-926
3. Tulsa: 319-306-316-941
4. Arkansas State: 324-306-314-944
5. Oral Roberts: 320-313-321-954
T6. Nebraska: 313-329-318-960
T6. Colorado State: 326-320-314-960
8. New Mexico State: 314-324-337-975
9. North Texas: 322-322-332-976
10. Northern Iowa: 337-324-329-990
11. UMKC: 328-324-339-991
12. Redlands CC: 330-330-337-997
13. Wichita State: 334-328-336-998
14. Southern Illinois: 345-327-351-1023
15. Creighton: 372-335-351-1058
Top 10 Individuals: Par 72-72-72 (216)
1. MEGHAN POTEE, KANSAS: 75-75-74-224
2. THANUTTRA BOONRAKSASAT, KANSAS: 78-74-152
T3. Lina Aguillon, Redlands CC: 75-78-77-230
T3. Olivia Eliasson, Kansas State: 78-75-153
T3. Antonia VonWnuck, Tulsa: 80-73-77-230
T6. Courtney Manning, Arkansas State: 77-76-78-231
T6. Carly Ragains, Kansas State: 76-80-75-231
8. MINAMI LEVONOWICH, KANSAS: 78-76-78-232
T9. Alejandra Acosta, Oral Roberts: 79-75-79-233
T9. Gianna Misenhelter, Kansas State: 75-71-87-233
Other KU Golfers
T12. Yupaporn Kawinpakorn: 72-74-89-235
T12. Gabby DiMarco (Individual): 81-80-74-235
T17. Michelle Woods (Individual): 82-80-75-237
T32. Pornvipa Sakdee: 83-78-81-242
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