JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. – Rutgers women's golf took home eighth place at the 2024 Briar's Creek Invitational on Monday afternoon in South Carolina. The Scarlet Knights used strong play in the first two rounds as well as top-16 finishes from
Rikke Nordvik and
Leigha Devine to finish in the top half of a very strong field. RU finished higher than No. 37 Maryland as well as Big Ten teams Nebraska, Penn State and Wisconsin.
Round 3 – Tuesday, March 12
Weather: Mid-60 degrees, mostly sunny, 10 mph winds
Rutgers shot a 9-over 297 in the third and final round to complete the tournament with a 14-over 878 (291-290-298). The team's eighth-place finish was three spots better than last year's t-11th place finish.
"Today played hard again with a different wind than yesterday," head coach
Kari Williams said. "It was a fun experience and the teams we competed alongside here are some of the best in the country. We will continue to get better at playing in the final group. There's not that big of a difference between our team and the others, and we saw that this week."
Rikke Nordvik closed out the tournament with a 2-under 70 – her best round of the week – to finish in a tie for 13th. She carded three birdies in her final round as well as 14 pars.
"I was exited for the final round today and was happy that I managed myself well on the course," Nordvik said. "My goal was to play smart and I stayed patient as I knew the conditions were tough again. I hit my irons well and it gave me the confidence to roll in some putts. Let's keep it rolling in Hawaii next week!"
Leigha Devine also finished in the top-16, registering a t-16 finish. She was able to ride a 4-under start in her first two rounds to register another high finish for RU.
Rounds 1 & 2 – Monday, March 11
Weather: Mid-50 degrees, mostly sunny, 10-15 mph winds
Rutgers shot a 5-over 581 (291-290) in the opening two rounds to sit in solo third place with one round left to play on Tuesday morning. RU led the field on par 3's, playing the holes to even-par on the day.
Rikke Nordvik played the par 3's 4-under par, which was the best in the field by two strokes. Additionally,
Leigha Devine played the par 4's 4-under par which also was the best in the field.
"The course was tough today but we were tougher," head coach
Kari Williams said. "The wind picked up in the afternoon and made the course play different from the morning round, but everyone fought hard to stay focused through the long day. We played well today and look to keep it going for the last 18."
Leigha Devine is in a tie for fourth to lead the team on the individual end, shooting a 4-under 140 with one round remaining.
Lucrezia Rossettin (T10) joins her in the top-10 after shooting a 1-under 143.
Devine shot a 3-under 69 in her first round highlighted by five birdies. She carded another five birdies in her second round – a 1-under 71 – to finish the day at 4-under 140. She is in a tie for fourth and trails the leader by four strokes.
"Briar's Creek is such a treat to be back at again this year," Devine said. "The course is challenging and a great test of golf. My putter had some great and some not so great moments today, but my driver was solid and I felt confident relying on my chipping around the greens. Seeing the team compete and play to our potential is the absolute best and we will keep the foot on the gas for tomorrow's final round!"
Rossettin posted four birdies in her opening round en route to a 1-under 71. With another five birdies in her second round, she closed the day in a tie for 10th at 4-under 140.
After a 3-over 75 in the first round,
Rikke Nordvik improved by three strokes with an even-par 72 in round two to shoot a 3-over 147 and put her in a tie for 27th.
Cathi Graf (8-over 152) and
Lorena Rossettin (8-over 152) are both in a tie for 60th.
Competing as an individual,
Emily James shot a 16-over 160 in her first two rounds of play.
2024 Briar's Creek Invitational: Final Results
March 11-12, 2024
The Golf Club at Briar's Creek (Johns Island, S.C.)
Par 72 | 6.152 yards
Field: Rutgers, Boston College, Campbell, College of Charleston, No. 10 Florida, Georgetown, Illinois, No. 37 Maryland, No. 48 Miami, No. 35 Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Old Dominion, Penn State, No. 26 Purdue, No. 17 UCF, Wisconsin
* – Competing as individual
Rutgers University Women's Golf /// Piscataway, N.J.
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