Spitz Posts Runner-Up Finish to Lead Bruins at PING/ASU Invitational

PHOENIX – Junior Emma Spitz posted her second runner-up finish of the season at 7-under 209 to lead the No. 16 UCLA women's golf team to a T-5th (-1, 863) overall finish at the PING/ASU Invitational at Papago Golf Course on Sunday.
 
Spitz shot back-to-back 3-under 69s and went bogey free on the back nine twice in rounds two and three of the tournament. This is the second time this season Spitz has shot under-par in every round of a tournament (last at Nanea Pac-12 Preview on Nov. 1-3). She leads the Bruins with seven under-par rounds on the year.
 
Course host No. 8 Arizona State won the tournament title by 15 strokes at 25-under 839. Sun Devil Alexandra Forsterling took home the individual crown with a 9-under 207.
 
Junior Emilie Paltrinieri, who competed individually, recorded her first top-10 finish and third top-20 finish of the season (T-10th) after shooting her second under-par round of the tournament with a 2-under 70 on day three.
 
Freshman Alessia Nobilio rose 13 spots on the individual leader board on Sunday after shooting her first and only under-par round (-2, 70) to tie for 24th. Nobilio finished 1-over 217 on the tournament.
 
Freshman Caroline Canales tied for 33rd at 3-over 219. She shot an even-par 72 in her third round with a birdie and bogey on each front and back nine.
 
Joining Canales with an even-par 72 on Sunday was freshman Zoe Antoinette Campos. She recorded three birdies in round three. Campos tied for 39th at 4-over 220.
 
Sophomore Ty Akabane also tied for 39th, shooting 73-74-73 on each day of the tournament.
 
The Bruins return to action at the Silverado Showdown hosted by Silverado Resort in a three-day, 54-hole stroke play event, beginning April 4 and ending April 6.