Women's Golf . March 18, 2021

No. 1 Gamecocks Set for Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 1 University of South Carolina women’s golf team returns to Georgia for the 49th annual Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, hosted by the University of Georgia on March 19-21 at the UGA Golf Course in Athens.

The Field

The Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic sees the top ranked Gamecocks face off against No. 4 LSU, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 10 Southern California, No. 12 Auburn, No. 13 Georgia, No. 16 Arkansas, No. 19 Alabama, No. 22 Florida in addition to Charleston, Kentucky, Louisville, Mississippi State, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.

The Course

The University of Georgia Golf Course plays as a par 72 at 6,302 yards. The Garnet and Black have played in the tournament multiple times and won it the last time it was held during the spring back in 2019 – the 2020 event was held in the fall – defeating Augusta in a match play final. The tournament is using the stroke play format for all three rounds this year.

Last Time Out for Carolina

South Carolina won its third tournament of the season with a record-breaking performance at the Valspar Augusta Invitational. Carolina finished the weekend with a 30-under 834, the lowest 54-hole tournament score in team history.

Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic Lineup

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (So.)

Won her third tournament of the season, and fourth of her career, shooting a program record 15-under 201 at the Valspar August Invitational on March 13-14
Named to the latest ANNIKA Award Watch List on March 12
Selected as SEC Golfer of the Week on Feb. 17
Currently ranked No. 3 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
Has nine top-10 finishes so far as a Gamecock
Earned WGCA and Golfweek First Team All-America honors as a freshman
Set to compete at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Ana Pelaez (Sr.)

Notched a new career best score with her 10-under 206 at the Valspar Augusta Invitational, tying for second and helping secure the team win
Named to the latest ANNIKA Award Watch List on March 12
In three tournaments this season has finished tied for third, sixth and second
Made her season debut at the Moon Golf Invitational, tying for third with an 8-under 208, tying her career low for a 54-hole tournament
Notched three top-3 finishes in European competition before returning to Columbia for the final half of her senior season
Currently ranked No. 17 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
Earned All-America honors in 2020 and 2017
Set to compete at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Paula Kirner (Fr.)

Continued to show improvement, finishing with a 1-under 215 at the Valspar Augusta Invitational, her best score and finish (T17) as a Gamecock
Named SEC Freshman of the Week on March 10
Had her best tournament so far, shooting and opening round 70 and finishing with an even par 72 to earn a 20th place finish at the Gamecock Intercollegiate
Played in all three tournaments for the Gamecocks in the fall
Notched her then best round as a Gamecock with her 1-under 71 in the opening round at The Ally back in October
Set to compete at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Lois Kaye Go (Sr.)

Named SEC Golfer of the Week on March 10
Notched her best finish as a Gamecock by taking second at the Gamecock Intercollegiate with a 4-under 212 after carding back-to-back 3-under 69 scores in the first two rounds
Holds lowest career scoring average in program history (72.59)
Helped the Gamecocks secure the win at the Moon Golf Invitational with a 2-under 70 in the first round and an even par 72 in the final round
Earned All-America honors each of the last three seasons

Pimnipa Panthong (Sr.)

Recovered from a stumble in the opening round at the Moon Golf Invitational to go 1-under in the second round and even par in the final round, helping to earn the team win
Finished third at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational to open the season
Currently ranked No. 68 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
Three-time All-American and Two-time MAC Player of the Year at Kent State
Set to compete at the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur