Oct. 8, 2006

<?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Chapel Hill, N.C. – The South Carolina women’s golf team shot a weekend-best 304 on Sunday in final round action at the Lady Tar Heel Invitational, finishing in 15^th place at 72-over-par with a three-day score of 309-323-304=936. No. 18 Vanderbilt won the event with a three-day score of 301-294-298=893 (+29).<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Four Gamecocks enjoyed their best round of golf Sunday, led by freshman Benedicte Toumpsin who finished the tournament in a tie for 33^rd with a score of 77-79-74=230 (+14). Toumpsin was one of two Gamecocks to jump in the standings following the final round, improving seven spots from her starting position after shooting two-over-par in the final round with three birdies. Toumpsin was only the second Gamecock on the weekend to hit at par on the difficult back nine. She carded an even par with two birdies on the back nine on Sunday, two days after freshman Taylor Barrett hit one-under-par on the holes in the opening round.

Senior Jenna Pearson matched her opening round score of 76 to finish the tournament in a tie for 49^th on the individual leader board. Pearson hit four birdies on the day, a team-high for the event and the third most for an individual in the final round. Pearson concluded the tournament with a score of 76-82-76=234 (+18).

Juniors Camila Mori and Whitney Simons both carded a 77 in the final round to turn in their best performances of the weekend. Mori’s final spot on the individual leader board left her tied for 61^st with a score of 80-80-77=237. She hit four bogeys in the final round, the least amount of any Gamecock throughout the weekend.

Simons improved the most for South Carolina, jumping 15 spots between Friday’s opening round and Sunday’s conclusion. After beginning the final round in a tie for 75^th, Simons hit two birdies in the final round to finish her first event of the season in a tie for 66^th with a score of 81-82-77=240 (+24).

Barrett registered a 76-85-82=243 in her second collegiate tournament. She finished in a tie for 77^th at 27-over-par.

The Gamecocks return to action when they travel to Auburn, Ala., to compete in The Derby Invitational from Oct. 27-29.

Team Leader Board (Final)
1. Vanderbilt: 301-294-298=893 (+29)
2. Virginia: 303-301-294=898 (+34)
3. Duke: 303-295-292=899 (+35)
4. North Carolina: 304-296-303=903 (+39)
T5. Texas A&M: 306-300-300=906 (+42)
T5. Tennessee: 302-306-298=906 (+42)
7. Wake Forest: 315-303-292=910 (+46)
8. Auburn: 313-309-292=914 (+50)
9. North Carolina State: 306-304-305=915 (+51))

10. Florida State: 310-305-301=916 (+52)

11. Oklahoma State: 317-307-294=918 (+54)

12. Ohio State: 310-304-307=921 (+57)

T13. College of Charleston: 308-308-314=930 (+66)

T13. Louisiana State: 319-310-301=930 (+66)

15. South Carolina: 309-323-304=936 (+72)

16. Tulsa: 315-319-312=946 (+82)

17. Texas: 324-321-331=976 (+112)

Gamecocks on the Individual Leader Board
T33. Benedicte Toumpsin: 77-79-74=230 (+14)
T49. Jenna Pearson: 76-82-76=234 (+18)
T61. Camila Mori: 80-80-77=237 (+21)
T66. Whitney Simons: 81-82-77=240 (+24)
T77. Taylor Barrett: 76-85-82=243 (+27)