The Gators defended their home course in the VyStar Credit Union Gators Invitational despite being altered to 36 holes Saturday.
The Florida Gators’ women’s golf team hosted the tournament at Mark Bostick Golf Course Saturday and Sunday. The original 54-hole invitational was modified to 36 due to weather conditions.
With round two suspended as a result of heavy rain, the golfers competed in only one round each day. Florida finished in first place Sunday.
The Gators defended their home course for the eighth-straight time under head coach Emily Glaser; the team won by four shots. UF has now won 28 tournament titles with Glaser in charge.
“Although it is eight in a row, it’s not easy,” Glaser said. “We came up with some good momentum last week, which I think really helped our competence going into this week.”
Knowing the course can “work in your favor” as well, Glaser said.
Florida junior Maisie Filler recorded her third second-place finish of her career. The junior shot in the 60s in both rounds to tie her career low in the final round. She scored a bogey-free five-under-par 70 to finish seven-under overall.
Filler entered a playoff with Central Florida freshman Pimpisa Sisutham after scoring an eight-under-par 70 to tie for the lead. Both women shot par on the first two holes. However, Sisutham made par on the third to secure medalist honors.
“[Filler] just keeps getting better and better,” Glaser said. “The most rewarding thing is the type of player she is… She’s kept her nose down working, pushing and being patient.”
Two Gators finished in the top 25 alongside Filler. Seniors Marina Escobar and Jackie Lucena tied for eighth.
Glaser feels UF hasn’t played its best golf this year, but she said the team should remain excited and optimistic about the future if it continues working.
The Florida women’s golf team wraps up its regular season in Georgia with two more tournaments.
The Gators will compete in the Valspar Augusta Invitational March 11-12 and in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic March 24-26. The Southeastern Conference Championship will start April 13 at the Greystone Golf and Country club in Birmingham, Alabama.
Contact Madilyn Destefano at mdestefano@alligtor.org. Follow her on Twitter @DestefanoMadi.
