McCurdy wins Arkansas third in Puerto Rico

Jump to agate FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas senior Amanda McCurdy posted a final round 74 winning the 2006 Lady Puerto Rico Invitational in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Sunday. The win by the El Dorado, Ark., native is the fourth of her career and second this season. McCurdy also captured medalist honors at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Classic last fall with a 213 (70-74-69). She finished the second spring event with a 214 (72-68-75) for the two-stroke win after leading the event wire-to-wire. McCurdy’s 214 is the second best round of her career, trailing only the Mercedes-Benz win. As a team, the ninth-ranked Lady Razorbacks finished with a 296 Sunday for an 888 (298-294-296) and third place. Southeastern Conference rival and No. 22 Florida won the event with an 885 (299-292-294) followed by host and third-ranked Purdue at 887 (295-297-887). Arkansas was third ahead of No. 23 Oklahoma State with 892 and No. 21 Kent State was fifth with a 903. Texas A&M, ranked 18th this week, was sixth with 906 ahead of No. 47 Tulsa with 911, No. 37 North Carolina with a 912, No. 48 TCU with a 915 and No. 83 Oklahoma with a 921 to round out the top 10. "We played pretty well and it’s a bummer we didn’t win the tournament," said Arkansas head coach Kelley Hester. "It’s encouraging to play that well. We’re coming home and getting ready for the next event but I’m pretty pleased with our performance." Sophomore Stacy Lewis finished in the top 10 for the third time this year with a final round 72 for 220 (76-72-72) and a tie for fourth place. Freshman Lucy Nunn was solid with a 226 (76-75-75) and a tie for 25th place overall. Nunn has competed in two other invitational and a match play tournament for Arkansas and Sunday’s finish is a career best for the Lawton, Okla., native. "It was a solid tournament for Lucy," said Hester. "She shot 76-75-75 and we counted her all three days." Senior Lindsey Hinshaw finished strong with a 75 for 233 (79-79-75) and a tie for 45th place while senior Courtney Mahon posted an 84 for 237 (74-79-84) and a tie for 52nd place. Arkansas returns to the links March 10-12 at the Texas A&M "Mo" Morial Classic in College Station, Texas. The Lady Razorbacks will also compete at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic March 24-26, in Athens, Ga., before traveling to Vanderbilt for the 2006 SEC Championship April 14-16, in Nashville, Tenn. For more information about Arkansas golf, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.