USC's Amari Avery Ties For Second At Liz Murphey Collegiate

Freshman Amari Avery fired a final-round 1-under 71 to secure a tie for second and her fifth straight top 8 result to start her career while senior Katherine Muzi carded a par, highlighting No. 8 USC's efforts during the final round of the Liz Murphey Collegiate on Sunday (March 27) at the University of Georgia G.C. in Athens.

USC tied for fifth at 37-over 901 (299-306-296). South Carolina won at 10-over.

Avery, a two-time winner since the spring semester start to her career, registered her third top 2 with a 1-over 217 (73-73-71).

It is the fifth straight top 8, the best start by a Trojan freshman in at least two decades.

Avery was 1-over through 13 holes but used birdies on 14 and 16 to close with a 71. It was her eighth round under par and ninth of par or better.

Muzi (81-74-72) and sophomore Michaela Morard (70-79-78) tied for 25th at 11-over 227. Muzi's effort was good for her team-best 14th round of par or better this year. It is Muzi's sixth top 25 or better and Morard's fifth top 30.

Sophomore Brianna Navarrosa tied for 39th at 14-over 230 (75-80-75) and freshman Xin (Cindy) Kou tied for 76th at 27-over 243 (84-80-79).

Avery's streak of top 8 finishes marks the second straight year a Trojan started the season with five or more top 8, following Allisen Corpuz starting with six top 4 results a season ago.