Women's Golf | 4/22/2015 12:06:00 AM
Final ResultsHORSESHOE BAY, Texas –
JOHANY RIVERA not only held her lead in the final round, but the St. Edward's freshman increased it to win the Heartland Conference Tournament Individual title Tuesday afternoon at Slick Rock Golf Club. She defeated 49 other golfers to help the Hilltoppers to a second-place finish.
Starting on the back nine, Rivera (69-71=140) began with two birdies and two bogeys in her first nine holes to make the turn at even. Birdies at holes one and four put her at two-under par. Even though she bogeyed at hole six, Rivera made par on her way in to capture the title.
Rivera beat Dallas Baptist's Erin Barrington (72-71=143) by three strokes, along with Oklahoma Christian's India Matthews (76-68=144) and Audrey Meisch (74-70=144), who both finished tied for third place.
St. Edward's (294-297=591) entered the day three strokes ahead of the field. On the first nine, Dallas Baptist played the holes at one-over par as a team, while the Hilltoppers struggled at eight-over par to give the Patriots the lead. On the last nine holes, St. Edward's almost pulled off a miracle comeback as they were only down one stroke on the final hole of the last group. Rivera played her approach to about 30 feet on the back of the green. After Barrington missed her birdie try, Rivera's putt just barely slid past the hole. Barrington's par putt won it for the Patriots. Newman (304-299=603) finished in third place and St. Mary's (305-306=611) finished fourth.
HALEY HAUGHT (73-74=147) finished tied for seventh place and almost had a storybook ending. Her approach shot on her last hole at nine, came up inches short of the hole, which would have given her an eagle.
MARISSA BRANSBURG (77-74=151) moved up seven spots on the final day to end tied for 12
th place.
SANDY LIVAS (75-80=155) ended tied for 20
th place, while
ISABEL MORALES (80-78=158) finished tied for 30
th place.
St. Edward's should continue its season at the NCAA West Regional. The three-day, 54-hole tournament takes place at Foxtail Golf Club in Rohnert Park, Calif., May 3-5. Check the Hilltopper Athletic Website for all postseason information.
