Women’s Golf Finishes Seventh; Mistry Fifth at Moon Golf Invite

MELBOURNE, Fla. – No. 25 Arkansas women’s golf finished strong at the Moon Golf Invitational to move up to a tie for seventh place out of the 17-team field. After shooting a 2-under 286 on Tuesday, the Razorbacks wrapped up the week with a 9-under 855 (285-284-286). Arkansas was just one stroke behind sixth-place Clemson, while LSU won the tournament with a 30-under 834. Kajal Mistry led the Razorbacks throughout the week by logging a season-best 8-under 208 to round out in a tie for fifth.

Mistry did not bogey her first 36 holes of the tournament but started out round three with one of her three on the day. She dug out of her hole by delivering four birdies, while also finishing her final hole, No. 8, on a high note with an eagle. Mistry finished the round with a 3-under 69 to log back-to-back rounds in the 60s (70-69-69=208). In the tournament field, Mistry tied for the most pars (41) and was one of 18 players to eagle.

Freshman Meghan Royal was solid each round, finishing the week with her third even-par 72 to complete the tournament in a tie for 32nd place with an even-par 216 (72-72-72) for a career best. In the third round, Royal logged three birdies and closed out her seven final holes with no bogeys.

Miriam Ayora dropped to a tie for 32nd in the final round after delivering a 2-over 74 on Tuesday. She logged three birdies and closed out the round strong with seven pars to finish the tournament at an even-par 216 (70-72-74).

Giovanna Fernandez bounced back from the first round with back-to-back 71s. In round three, she did not bogey and came up with a birdie on hole No. 15. Her performance on Tuesday moved her up 15 spots to round out the tournament in a tie for 42nd with a career-best 1-over 217 (75-71-71).

In her first tournament since September, Ela Anacona came in a tie for 66th with a 6-over 222 (73-72-77). Anacona bogeyed her first four holes on the day but helped herself out with two birdies and nine pars to finish out play.

Ffion Tynan moved six spots in the final round to tie for 72nd with a 7-over 223 (75-76-72). Competing as an individual, Tynan shot an even-par 72 on Tuesday, cancelling out her two bogeys with two birdies and 14 pars.

Arkansas’ performance the best in par 4s with an even-par 4.0 average, which was the fourth best among the field, while delivering the second most pars (182) and eagles (two).

SHAUNA’S STATEMENTS

Overall Statement:

“It’s always great to get started at the Moon Golf Invitational. We had six compete and I’m excited about the consistency I saw this week,” said head women’s golf coach Shauna Taylor. “Each day we had everyone in it to count and that creates confidence in team golf.”

On Mistry:

“I can’t say enough about the maturity that Kajal displayed for three rounds of golf. She has grown so much in her four years and her hard work is paying off.”

On Fernandez:

“Gio was bogey free today as well and that is huge for her consistency and confidence.”

Closing Statement:

“It was a total group effort this week and with some great places to grow as we move through the season. We have a quick turnaround so we will rest up and recharge for the Darius Rucker next week.”

INDIVIDUAL SCORES (FINAL)

T5 – Kajal Mistry – 70-69-69=208 (-8)
T32 – Miriam Ayora – 70-72-74=216 (E)
T32 – Meghan Royal – 72-72-72=216 (E)
T42 – Giovanna Fernandez – 75-71-71=217 (+1)
T66 – Ela Anacona – 73-72-77=222 (+6)
T72 – Ffion Tynan* – 75-76-72=223 (+7)

* playing as an individual

TEAM SCORES (FINAL)

1 – LSU – 276-274-284=834 (-30)
2 – Northwestern – 281-280-282=843 (-21)
3 – Florida – 281-283-282=846 (-18)
4 – Auburn – 281-278-290=849 (-15)
5 – Michigan State – 285-289-276=850 (-14)
6 – Clemson – 279-288-287=854 (-10)
T7 – Arkansas – 285-284-286=855 (-9)
T7 – Vanderbilt – 282-286-287=855 (-9)
T7 – UCF – 278-283-294=855 (-9)
T7 – Michigan – 286-278-291=855 (-9)
11 – Florida State – 286-291-279=856 (-8)
12 – North Carolina – 291-285-290=866 (+2)
13– Alabama – 289-297-291=877 (+13)
14 – Virginia Tech – 284-293-301=878 (+14)
15 – Louisville – 295-292-292=879 (+15)
16 – Augusta – 288-296-296=880 (+16)
17 – Miami – 300-304-305=909 (+45)

 UP NEXT

Arkansas will not have much rest, as the team is set to play at the Darius Rucker Intercollege next from Monday, Feb. 27 to Wednesday, March 1 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

MORE INFORMATION

Keep up with all of the latest news and information and get behind the scenes looks into our program on our social media accounts. Follow us on Twitter at @RazorbackWGolf and check out our Facebook page “Razorback Women’s Golf.” Stats, news and player information can be found at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.