Play concluded Sunday at the Mason Rudolph Women’s Championship with UF finishing in a tie for 10th place after shooting a 3-over round of 291.
Florida recorded a 54-hole total of 872 (286-295-291). LSU won the tournament, which was hosted by Vanderbilt at the Legends North Course in Franklin, Tenn.
The tournament featured 16 of the top-25 teams in the nation, allowing UF to measure itself against the best.
“It’s really encouraging because I wouldn’t say we brought our A-game,” coach Jan Dowling said. “I know we could have finished higher.”
Junior Evan Jensen again anchored the Gators by firing a 1-under 71 Sunday, finishing the tournament at 1 over. Jensen holed two birdies on her front nine to make the turn at 2 under. She added two more birdies on the back nine but also had bogeys at holes 5, 6 and 7.
“She’s such an even-keeled player,” Dowling said. “That contributes a lot to her consistency. She never gets too high or too low. You can never tell if she’s 5 under or 5 over.”
Concluding what was her best tournament as a collegiate golfer, Andrea Watts shot a 3-over 75 and tied Jensen with a 1-over 217. Jensen and Watts tied for 35th overall, best among the Gators.
Marika Lendl continued her return to form with a second round of even-par 72. She concluded her first tournament back from shoulder surgery at 5-over 221 (72-77-22).
“It was a team effort,” Dowling said. “Everyone contributed, which is nice. We’re relying on everybody.”
Starting the round with three birdies in her first four holes, senior Jessica Yadloczky looked poised to shoot a low score Sunday. Unfortunately she recorded four bogeys and no more birdies and finished at 1 over. Yadloczky had a 54-hole total of 225 (73-79-73).
“She’s one step closer to getting back to the golf she’s used to playing,” Dowling said. “Maybe even better.”
Sophomore Mia Piccio came back to earth on Sunday. Piccio had been UF’s most consistent golfer heading into the final round but holed five bogeys and two double bogeys to shoot a 9-over 81 Sunday.
