(Phoenix, AZ) Sun Devil Women’s Golf delivered a historic round as they climbed into second place after day two of the PING/ASU Invitational.
No. 11 Arizona State used a balanced team effort to shoot a 277 (-11), the third-lowest team score ever at PING/ASU Invitational. It also matches the seventh-lowest score in the history of the Sun Devil Women’s Golf program. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye‘s team was the best team by five strokes today and are in firm contention for a third consecutive team title at their home event.
Three Sun Devils sit in the Top-6 after 36 holes, led by freshman Paula Schulz-Hanssen. Schulz Hanssen (-3/141) is in sole possession of fifth place and only four strokes back of the overall leader. Fellow freshman Beth Coulter is also performing well in her PING/ASU debut, currently tied for sixth after shooting a 70 (-2). She is tied with teammate Ashley Menne, who made the second biggest jump of any single golfer, sliding up 33 spots and into a tie for sixth after shooting a team-best 68 (-4). Calynne Rosholt enjoyed a similar result thanks to her 69 (-3), as she raised 32 spots and into the Top-25 (T23).
The Maroon & Gold begin their push on the final day of the PING/ASU Invitational tomorrow at 9 AM, starting on the first hole. Not only is Arizona State in a position for a potential team title, several Sun Devils are eyeing an individual title at Papago Golf Club. Live scoring for the PING/ASU Invitational will be provided by Golfstat at the following link.
ROUND BREAKDOWN
Arizona State began their round on the front nine and saw a vast improvement from day one’s results during the stretch. ASU was 26 strokes better from day one to day two on the first nine holes, which was a huge reason why they were able to make up so much ground. It started early, as they wasted no time recording birdies. Menne, Rosholt, Schulz-Hanssen, and Grace Summerhays all started off with birdies on the first hole to set the tone. Menne and Summerhays then followed with birdies, as the Sun Devils got off to a fast start. Amanda Linner and Summerhays each birdied hole four, while back-to-back birdies came from Schluz-Hanssen on six and seven. ASU made the turn with four of their five counting scores under par.
The Sun Devils continued their success from day one on the back nine, as they finished the day strong. Both Calynne Rosholt and Ashley Menne finished two-under, with two birdies the only time they strayed away from par. No one was better than Beth Coulter down the stretch, as she finished three-under over the final nine holes. This included three birdies and an eagle on the par-five, 512-yard 15th hole. It is one of only eight birdies recorded at the PING/ASU, three of which have taken place on 15. Schulz-Hanssen went nine-for-nine on pars, finishing her round with ten straight total. Linner birdied the 16th hole and is one of four Sun Devils in the Top-20 (T-17th).
QUOTABLES
“We talked about a couple of things yesterday,” Coach Farr-Kaye reflected. “One was our par 5 scoring – and then of course – the first hole is a par 5. We talked about how we were going to start and just putting ourselves in position to be able to have the opportunity to make birdies. That was our goal the first 5 holes; get in position. We started off so well on one, it was just insane. Then the momentum just kept going all day long.”
Are there any players that come to mind who really had an impressive showing?
“Everyone played really well and it’s awesome,” Coach Farr-Kaye added. “Calynne’s been ready for a good round and that’s exactly what she did today. Under par for both the freshman is great. Ashley is just such a great leader and anchor for our team. It was great to see that, but Calynne’s been waiting for a good round and that one felt satisfying. Watching Paula and Beth really start to feel confident in their abilities as freshman – because they’re so good – is just really cool to watch.”
What are the goals for tomorrow?
“We’ll talk before the end of the day about some of the strategy conversations we had yesterday, because we went over the holes,” Coach Farr-Kaye forecased. “We had a couple of holes we consistently struggled on yesterday. We’ll go over that quickly and talk about starting off strong and trying to continue that momentum.”
On the importance to have a good outing today
“It was really important,” senior Ashley Menne mentioned. “This is our home event and this is our home course. We want to play well, so I think today just kind of goes to show we’re a pretty good team and we’re good players. We have what it takes to win, so I think if we just do what we did today, we’ll be good for tomorrow.”
On what part of her game impressed her today:
“I would say my putting was great, I don’t think I three-putted once today and basically all my putts were to a foot or inside of that,” Menn reflected. “So I was happy with that since I was working on that.”
On tomorrow’s goals for herself and the team:
“We want to start strong,” Menne added. “Be ready to play golf. I think that’s really important. We started out slow the first day, so going out and making some birdies on the first five holes would be good. Finish strong down the stretch, it’s not over until we sink the last putt on 18.”
TEAM STANDINGS
| Place | Team | 1 | 2 | To Par |
| 1 | #23 Northwestern | 282 | 282 | -12 |
| 2 | #11 Arizona State | 295 | 277 | -4 |
| 3 | #14 Baylor | 290 | 287 | +1 |
| 4 | #6 Mississippi State | 290 | 288 | +2 |
| 5 | #5 Oregon | 290 | 290 | +4 |
INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
| Place | Player | 1 | 2 | To Par |
| 5 | Paula Schulz-Hanssen | 71 | 70 | -3 |
| T6 | Ashley Menne | 75 | 68 | -2 |
| T6 | Beth Coulter | 73 | 70 | -2 |
| T17 | Amanda Linner | 69 | 76 | +1 |
| T23 | Calynne Rosholt | 77 | 69 | +2 |
| T43 | Grace Summerhays | 76 | 73 | +5 |
UP NEXT
Arizona State will begin the final round of the PING/ASU Invitational tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM MST as a part of the featured group.
| PAIRING | Arizona State, Northwestern, Baylor |
| HOLE | 1 |
| TIME (MST) | GOLFER |
| 9:00 AM | Beth Coulter |
| 9:09 AM | Grace Summerhays |
| 9:18 AM | Paula Schulz-Hanssen |
| 9:27 AM | Ashley Menne |
| 9:36 AM | Amanda Linner |
| HOLE | 10 |
| 8:15 AM | Breyana Matthews |
| 8:51 AM | Amanda Linner |
2023 NCAA WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
Arizona State and the Thunderbirds will host the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships for the third consecutive year, taking place at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale May 19-31. This is the final of successful three-year run as the host school of the most prestigious event in all of college golf. Don’t miss your last chance to check out the top individuals and teams in the nation square off for the ultimate prize in your own backyard.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
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