April 8, 2012

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The South Carolina women’s golf team shot a final-round 302 (+14) on Sunday to finish in sixth place at the Bryan National Collegiate at Bryan Park Golf and Enrichment Center.

Carolina wrapped up the weekend with a three-round total of 894 (+30). The sixth-place showing matches the Gamecocks’ finish at the 2009 Bryan National Collegiate as their best all-time at the event.

Senior Katie Burnett carded a 1-under 71 to lead Carolina on Sunday as she finished the tournament in a tie for fifth place with a score of 219 (+3), marking the ninth straight event she has been the Gamecocks’ top finisher. It was also her sixth career top-five finish, which moves her into a tie for sixth on Carolina’s all-time list with former Gamecocks Vikki Valentine (1988-92) and Truie Timmons (1984-88). The Brunswick, Ga., native recorded four birdies, three bogeys and 11 pars on the day.

Junior Amanda Strang played her best golf of the season on the weekend as she turned in a 4-over 76 to finish in a tie for seventh with a score of 220 (+4). Strang produced two birdies, six bogeys and 10 pars for the round.

Sophomore Samantha Swinehart, who played as an individual, shot a final-round 76 (+4) to tie for 22nd with a score of 224 (+8).

Freshman Justine Dreher carded a 3-over 75 and finished in a tie for 30th with a three-round score of 226 (+10). Junior Meredith Swanson and sophomore Katie Rose Higgins shot rounds of 80 (+8) and 86 (+14), respectively. Swanson closed out the tournament in a tie for 43rd, while Higgins tied for 82nd.

Tennessee and Duke were tied atop the leaderboard after the final round with scores of 882 (+18), but the Lady Vols captured the team title by recording four pars in a playoff on the 18th hole. Florida State finished third with a score of 889 (+25), followed by Ohio State (892) and North Carolina (892).

Duke’s Lindy Duncan claimed medalist honors with a three-round total of 212 (-4).

The Gamecocks will now turn their focus to the 2012 SEC Championship, which will be held on April 20-22 at the Blessings Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

SOUTH CAROLINA RESULTS
T5. Katie Burnett 70-78-71=219 (+3)
T7. Amanda Strang 72-72-76=220 (+4)
T30. Justine Dreher 73-78-75=226 (+10)
T43. Meredith Swanson 77-72-80=229 (+13)
T82. Katie Rose Higgins 77-78-86=241 (+25)
*T22. Samantha Swinehart 73-75-76=224 (+8)
*Played as an individual

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
T1. Tennessee 293-291-298=882 (+18) (Won Playoff)
T1. Duke 298-295-289=882 (+18)
3. Florida State 297-289-303=889 (+25)
T4. Ohio State 297-294-301=892 (+28)
T4. North Carolina 301-289-302=892 (+28)
6. South Carolina 292-300-302=894 (+30)
7. Wake Forest 295-299-301=895 (+31)
8. Northwestern 290-305-301=896 (+32)
9. UNCG 306-300-294=900 (+36)
10. Tulane 306-296-300=902 (+38)
11. Virginia 299-303-301=903 (+39)
12. Michigan State 310-300-299=909 (+45)
13. Kentucky 304-309-298=911 (+47)
14. North Carolina State 306-299-307=912 (+48)
15. UNC Wilmington 310-307-309=926 (+62)
16. Louisville 317-316-308=941 (+77)
17. College of Charleston 313-322-312=947 (+83)