The Gophers women’s golf team had a record-setting day as it claimed the lowest round of any team on Tuesday (286) to finish third in the UCF Challenge at RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.
Coastal Carolina won the tournament with a three-day total of 867 (3-over par) to edge Minnesota by two strokes, but the Gophers’ final round total of 286 is the second lowest in team history. Tulane finished second at 4-over, but after the Gophers no other team finished better than 17-over.
Senior Teresa Puga eagled her final hole to shoot a career-best 66 (6-under) and split medalist honors with Kentucky’s Ashleigh Albrecht. Puga set a new 54-hole school record with a 208. The previous best mark by a Minnesota player was 215.
The other Gophers competing were freshman Banchalee Theinthong (22nd), Samantha Sommers (28th) and Michele Edlin (80th).
Minnesota will return to Florida hoping to build on this success with the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla., which begins on Feb. 21.