KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. – Charleston Southern senior Hayley McNeill carded a final round two-over par 74 in difficult, windy conditions to cement a strong 13th place showing Tuesday at the Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Spring Classic. CSU finished T-13th in the 43-team field, billed as the largest in collegiate golf.
A year after setting the program's 54-hole individual scoring record at the same event, McNeill was again among the best in the field of 218 players. The Australian finished at +2 218 overall to conclude play just one shot out of a top-ten finish. CSU, with a final round 309 at Osprey Point Golf Club, dropped two spots into a tie for 13th but finished ahead of the likes of Stetson, William & Mary and Richmond, as well as the three other Big South conference programs competing.
Host College of Charleston won the event with a 54-hole tally of +17 872. Murray State (+15) finished runner-up, while Jacksonville took third place. Murray State's Lucila Puente Rodriguez closed with a four-under 68 to take medalist honors at -5 overall. She was the only player break par during the final round.
In addition to McNeill, CSU also received another strong final day effort from senior Milleina Ohara (T-58th). Ohara eagled the par-five second en route to a 75 to improve her standing in the field. Daniela Intriago (T-129th) and Emelie Flink (T-92nd) contributed the Bucs' other counted scores.
CSU head coach Matt Cram-Smith was proud of the resolve his squad displayed to battle through winds of up to 30 miles per hour.
"The conditions today were much tougher and we had some very good moments out there and some bad ones as well," Cram-Smith said. "The girls really put in a good effort to stay patient and not let the conditions get to them. I was really impressed with their ability to do that. It was good to see some good scores to start the spring season and we're looking forward to next week in Jacksonville."
McNeill played both the front and back nine at +1 to stay near the top of the leaderboard.
Ohara's 75 allowed her to jump 33 spots on the leaderboard.
CSU returns to action Monday and Tuesday at the UNF Collegiate in Jacksonville.
