Both UF golf teams enjoyed solid final rounds in their respective tournaments on Tuesday as the end of fall season draws nearer.
The women’s team had its best round of the tournament at the Windy City Classic. It needed that performance maintain its position and prevent a surging Northwestern from passing them. The men’s team, on the other hand, matched its score from the day before to take sixth place at the Nike Collegiate Invitational.
The women’s team sat in fourth place heading into Tuesday. The Gators’ 1-under in the final round was the second-best of the day behind Northwestern.
UF was led by a trio of golfers in the top 15: juniors Marta Perez and Sierra Brooks and freshman Clara Manzalini.
Perez (-2) had a consistent three rounds, carding a 71 and a 72 on Monday before scoring another 71 on Tuesday. Her overall score was enough to move her into sixth place.
Brooks’ tournament was the exact opposite. The junior (+2) was four strokes over par ahead of her final round. She collected five birdies over her first 12 holes and scored a 70 on the round, good for 14th place.
Manzalini (+3) finished in a tie for 15th after an even round to close out her tournament.
“We have a lot more left in there and are leaving with some great things to work on, and different things for each player,” coach Emily Glaser said in a release. “But we still have a lot to be excited and optimistic about.”
The men’s team entered Tuesday’s action at the Nike Collegiate Invitational in eighth place. The team matched Monday’s score of 285, which was enough to move them up two places into sixth after poor rounds from Southern California and Georgia.
Freshman Eugene Hong (+1) had a breakout performance for the Gators. He paced the team while improving by 12 spots from his previous two days.
Sophomore John Axelsen was the only other Gator to finish in the top 30. He struggled through the first two days, entering the final round in 32nd. Axelsen scored a one-under to move up nine spots into 23rd.
“We haven’t had our best stuff yet, but we are getting so much better,” men’s coach J.C. Deacon said in a release. “If they keep working like they have been the last month, this success we are seeing will continue at an even higher level.”
Follow Brendan Farrell on Twitter @Bfarrell727 or contact him at bfarrell@alligator.org.
Junior Sierra Brooks (pictured) finished second on the team at the Windy City Classic and 14th overall at 2 over. She and Marta Perez (-2) led the UF women to a fourth place finish at the event.
