HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo (FOX5) – Shooting a season-low single-round score for the second straight day in Sunday’s finale, the UNLV women’s golf team rode to its first win of the season at Denver’s Ron Moore Intercollegiate at the University of Denver Golf Club at Highlands Ranch (Par 72, 6,611 yards).
Behind each of their four final-round scorers shooting par or better, the Rebels entered the clubhouse with a 7-under 281 for their best tally in nine rounds played this fall and a one-shot advantage over runner-up Kansas State (-16). The day-three scorecard also gave them a season-low tournament score at 17-under 847, tying for the third-lowest to-par and 54-hole scores in program history, as they racked up a season-high 53 birdies at the event.
The Scarlet & Gray’s lowest scores on the day were led by senior Hina Matsui’s personal career-low round of 4-under 68. Following her in the team’s third-round push into first place, senior Mayumi Umezu had a third consecutive below-par round with a 2-under 70, sophomore Zi Yu Foong notched a 1-under 71, followed by senior Toa Yokoyama’s even-par 72.
On the final individual leaderboard, UNLV saw its entire lineup finish in the top 31 out of 81 competitors and two individuals in the top-5 standings. Umezu finished third with a career-low 9-under 207 to tie the school’s fifth-best 54-hole score and Yokoyama tied for fifth at 5-under 211. Rounding out the finishes, Matsui had a career-low 2-under 214 to tie for 13th, while Foong (+3) and senior McKenzi Hall (+3) tied for 31st.
Taking the individual title, Minnesota’s Isabella McCauley posted a final-round 4-under 68 for a tournament score of 14-under 202.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team’s performance today. Each player contributed in a significant way. Great teams have great teammates. This win is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it’s exciting to have a tremendous start to the season. I’m incredibly thankful for Coach Luka (Mudde) and her helpfulness to the team. We can’t wait for the next event,” said UNLV Head Coach Amy Bush-Herzer.
UP NEXT: UNLV returns to the links in two weeks in San Marcos, Texas, at Texas State’s Jim West Challenge set to be held from Sunday-Monday, October 20-21.
NOTES:
- This marked UNLV’s 12th team victory under head coach Amy Bush-Herzer, who is in her 14th season at the helm of the Rebel women’s golf program.
- On the year, the Scarlet & Gray has now started the season with top-2 finishes in each of its three tournaments played.
- With their Sunday tally, UNLV has scored under par in six consecutive rounds dating back to the first round of the Red Raider Invitational.
- It was also the Rebels’ first victory since winning the 2021-22 campaign when they came away with The Clash at Boulder Creek trophy at even-par 864.
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