Sun Devil Women's Golf Shines at the NW Arkansas Championship
Leaderboard | Sun Devils at the AIG Women's Open: Tournament Recap
ROGERS, Ark. – The Northwest Arkansas Championship wrapped up this past weekend and the top of the final leaderboard was filled with Sun Devils.
For the second consecutive weekend, the Maroon & Gold were well represented at a LPGA event. Three of the Top-11 and four of the Top-28 finishers played their college golf at Arizona State. With Jon Rahm's win at the BMW Championship, Sun Devil Golf continues to thrive at the professional level.
Awesome win by @JonRahmpga ???????? but let's not forget a great week on @LPGA for @SunDevilWGolf well done Sun Devils!?????? pic.twitter.com/UcjlzQytt3
— Missy Kaye (@missymkaye) August 31, 2020
Anna Nordqvist (2007-09) is the top finishing Sun Devil for the second straight weekend, putting together an incredible three-round performance. She finished in second place after shooting a 195 (-18), taking home over $200,000 for her efforts. Nordqvist looked in peak form while nearly pulling off what would have been her ninth career LPGA victory, ending two strokes behind champion Austin Ernst. The second-place finish is her best since winning the 2017 Evian Championship.
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3?? of the Top-1??1?? and 4?? of the Top-2??8?? finishers at the @NWAChampionship played for @SunDevilWGolf ??@ANordqvist led the way with a 2??nd place finish ??
RECAP: https://t.co/IVCNJZ4v1X pic.twitter.com/deoS43C1UM
— Sun Devil W. Golf (@SunDevilWGolf) September 1, 2020
Joining Nordqvist in the Top-10 is fellow Swede and Sun Devil Linnea Strom (2016-17), who shot an impressive 200 (-13). Strom finished in a tie for ninth, her third career Top-10 finish and second of the 2020 season (T-4th @ ISPS Handa Vic Open). She matched a career-low by shooting a 65 in the final round, helping her move into the Top-10.
Finishing right behind Strom was Carlota Ciganda (2009-11) after she carded a 201 (-12) to earn a tie for 11th. Ciganda has been consistent in 2020, finishing in the Top-16 in four of her five appearances. She matched Strom's 65 on the final day, with both Sun Devils showing poise down the stretch to improve their position.
Azahara Munoz played three solid rounds of golf on her way to shooting a 204 (-9), which was good enough for a Top-30 finish (T-28th). She came alive at the end of her third round, recording birdies on four of her last eight holes. Munoz already has five Top-30 results in 2020, highlighted by a second-place finish at the Ladies Scottish Open in August. The Sun Devil foursome combined to shoot an incredible 800 (-52).
Earlier in the LPGA Tour season, five individuals from Sun Devil Women's Golf competed at the AIG Women's British Open, including current senior Olivia Mehaffey. Mehaffey is preparing for her next LPGA event, the ANA Inspiration. Originally scheduled to take place April 2-5, the tournament was postponed due to the pandemic. It will now take place September 10-13 at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Mehaffey is one of only five amateurs selected to compete at the LPGA major. She will once again be joined by Sun Devils Carlota Ciganda, Anna Nordqvist, Linnea Strom and Azahara Munoz in the event.
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