The Gators women’s golf team found redemption at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge, finishing in ninth place with a total score of 911 (304-309-298, +59).
Even though UF jumped up three spots Wednesday, it was not the result the team expected heading into the competition.
“Overall it wasn’t the best week for the Gators,” coach Jan Dowling said. “We actually rebounded pretty well, I’m pretty proud of them and the way they turned it around. We’ve got a lot of things to work on, moving forward, however I think this golf course was probably a great golf course for us to be playing first thing this year. You can’t hide any weakness on this course.”
Freshman Isabelle Lendl proved herself in her second-consecutive round as the leader for Florida. She ended the tournament carding a 73 for a total of 222 (79-70-73, +9). Lendl started at the 14th hole and shot a back-to-back birdie-bogey combo, followed by a double bogey. She picked up her game after carding three more birdies.
“We are really proud of Isabelle,” Dowling said. “She had a really good tournament. [With] this course you’ve got to be playing well; every part of your game has to be on…She obviously chipped the putter well and she hit the fairways and hit a lot of greens…she deserves this.”
Following 17 spots behind, junior Jessica Yadloczky finished in a tie for 28th. Her three-round total came to 228, after a +2 round Wednesday. Yadloczky balanced out her score with four bogeys and two birdies.
Sophomore Marika Lendl finished five behind her teammate in 33rd, carding her lowest round of the tournament in the third round with a four-over 75. She ended the tournament with an overall score of 229 (77-77-75, +16). Lendl picked up her four extra strokes with two bogeys and a double-bogey.
Sophomore Evan Jensen and freshman Mia Piccio rounded out the Gators lineup, finishing in a tie for 61st and 67th, respectively.
Piccio bettered her second round score by one stroke Wednesday for a tournament total of 238 (77-81-80, +25).
