Day 3 recap: USC captures Pac-12 title by 24 strokes

Apr 24, 2013

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VALENCIA, Calif. - USC claimed its program’s fourth Conference title, posting a 54-hole total of 853 (-11) to win the 2013 Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship at the Valencia Country Club in Valencia, Calif. The Trojans’ first championship came in 1989, and won crowns after in 2008 and 2011. USC freshman Annie Park became the third consecutive Trojan to join the group of six Trojans to ever earn medalist honors. USC entered the final round with an 11-stroke lead over UCLA and stood ground against an assertive group of teams down the stretch. The Trojans opened the final round posting four straight birdies to build a commanding lead over the field and never looked back. The Trojans combined for 20 counted birdies in the final round. Park birdied the 18th to seal the victory, as the USC finished the day with 282 (-6). “It feels great. It’s been a real stressful week as this course has been extremely challenging,” said head coach Andrea Gaston. “Obviously our girls just played lights out golf, this is a real tribute to them, the hard work they put in, I’m so pleased in they way they played.” Gaston noted the level of excitement she felt after freshman Park became the third straight Trojan to win the Conference’s individual title. “It’s exciting to see a freshman win,” said Gaston. “I know Sophia [Popov] was trying to do a good job of tying and maybe having a playoff... but Annie is a great champion, we’re so happy for her.” Washington was 5-over on the day with a 293 and jumped from third place to second place with an 877 (+13) after three rounds. This is the Huskies’ first time finishing above third in the Pac-12 Championships. UCLA finished third with an 879 (+15), while Arizona and Stanford tied for fourth, posting an 882 (+18). USC’s Park started the final round tied for first and hit five birdies, including one on the 18th hole en route to a 3-under 69. She won the individual championship with a 209 (-7). Park stands alongside Jennifer Biehn (1994), Candie Kung (200), Paola Moreno (2008), Sophia Popov (2011) and Doris Chen (2012) as Trojans to take individual medalist honors.

“I had a rough start on the front nine and I made more putts towards the end,” said Park. “I’m more glad winning as a team than as an individual, and am now looking forward to going to the regionals and NCAA championships.”

USC’s Sophia Popov finished second place with total of 211 (-5). Stanford’s Mariah Stackhouse and Colorado's Jennifer Coleman tied for third-place at 213 (-3). Arizona State's Laura Blanco rounded out the top five with a 214 (-2). Pac-12 teams now look toward NCAA regional selection on Monday, April 29. NCAA regionals will take place May 9-11 in Stanford, Calif., Auburn, Ala., and Norman, Okla. Stanford will serve as the tournament host in Stanford, Calif. The NCAA championship will take place May 21-24 in Athens, Ga. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"605","attributes":{}}]] Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championships - Final Standings 1.USC 280-291-282--853 (-11) 2.Washington 293-291-293--877 (+13) 3.UCLA 290-292-297--879 (+15) T4. Arizona 301-284-297--882 (+18) T4. Stanford 298-296-288--882 (+18) 6.Arizona State 295-295-300--890 (+26) 7.Oregon 303-290-303--896 (+32) 8.Oregon State 303-297-300--900 (+36) 9.Colorado 311-298-305--914 (+50) 10.California 302-308-315--925 (+61) 11.Washington State 311-318-313--942 (+78) Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championships - Individuals (Top 10) - Final Standings 1. Annie Park, USC 70-70-69-209 (-7) 2. Sophia Popov, USC 66-75-70--211 (-5) T3. Mariah Stackhouse 73-67-73--213 (-3) T3. Jennifer Coleman, Colorado 74-67-72--213 (-3) 5.Laura Blanco, Arizona State 73-69-72--214 (-2) 6.Cassy Isagawa, Oregon 74-70-71--215 (-1) T7. Janie Jackson, Arizona 75-68-74--217 (+1) T7. Erynne Lee, UCLA 71-77-69--217 (+1) T7. Doris Chen, USC 72-71-74--217 (+1) 10. Rachell Morris, USC 72-77-69--218 (+2)