.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Lady Paladin
Rebels Finish Seventh After Tough Round 3 Battle
9/25/2016 | Women's Golf
It was a Southeastern Conference showdown at the Lady Paladin Invitational, as the Ole Miss women's golf team went back-and-forth all day with the Missouri Tigers.
In a tough battle for sixth place, the Rebels finished seventh in the 20-team tournament in Greenville, South Carolina, shooting an even 300 on the final day to total 884 over 54 holes. Head coach Kory Henkes saw the weekend as a tremendous learning experience for her team.
"It is always fun to be paired with another SEC team, and it was a great experience for our girls. I don't think it was our best day. We have to keep working on finishing," Henkes said. "Overall though, all the players are optimistic and excited to head to Denver."
Senior Madisen Bentley echoed the sentiments of her coach. She matched her first-round score of 73 to lead Ole Miss and tie for 15th at 1-over par. She had a team-best four birdies in the final round to record her fourth career top-20 finish.
"As a team we didn't finish like we wanted to today, but we all know what we need to work on to improve on this weekend," Bentley said. "Collectively we are confident that we can do a lot better and are excited to play in Denver in a couple weeks."
Next for the Rebels was junior Laura Hoskin, who turned in a 76 in the final round to finish at 221-her best score of the young season. Hoskin and senior Maria Toennessen both had three birdies in the final round. Toennessen went 3-over on the final day to finish at 9-over for the tournament and third on the Ole Miss squad.
Katy Harris had a roller coaster tournament, but finished on a high note. The junior birdied two of her final three holes to push the Rebels ahead of Missouri for sixth place, though the Tigers pulled ahead at the conclusion.
"Once again Katy showed her maturity in being able to bounce back from her start," Henkes said. "She continues to impress us with her ability to keep fighting, which was key to her strong finish."
Sophomore Kie Purdom recorded a 76 in the final round to finish second among individuals. She started the tournament with a career-best 73 in Round 1.
Ole Miss has next weekend off before heading west for the Ron Moore Women's Intercollegiate in Denver, Colorado. The three-day, 54-hole tournament starts Oct. 7.
Team Standings
1. Texas: 283-284-286--853
2. Furman: 281-286-288--855
3. Illinois: 286-286-290--862
4. Augusta: 300-278-288--866
5. Middle Tennessee: 282-301-287--870
6. Missouri: 287-298-296--881
7. Ole Miss: 289-295-300--884
8. Virginia Tech: 291-296-303--890
9. East Tennessee State: 304-297-290--891
10. Kennesaw State: 303-295-295--893
11. Tulsa: 299-304-292--895
12. Daytona State: 293-299-304--896
T13. UNC Wilmington: 303-301-296--900
T13. Maryland: 293-297-310--900
T15. Minnesota: 305-304-298--907
T15. Mercer: 308-293-306--907
17. Georgetown: 301-307-300--908
18. New Mexico: 302-291-302--911
19. Georgia State: 296-320-310--926
20. Wofford: 309-319-318--946
Ole Miss Players
T15. Madisen Bentley: 73-71-73--217
T34. Laura Hoskin: 72-73-76--221
T51. Maria Toennessen: 72-78-75--225
T53. Katy Harris: 77-73-76--226
*T64. Kie Purdom: 73-81-76--230
T74. Pi-Lillebi Hermansson: 72-82-78--232
* = Competing as an individual
For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and Facebook at Ole Miss Women's Golf.
Players Mentioned
