PGA.com

Tour News Quick Links


Shop PGA
 

Duke holds off Purdue to threepeat as women's NCAA champions

- AP

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Duke became the second school in NCAA history to win three straight women's golf titles, and Arkansas' Stacy Lewis rallied to take the individual championship in windy and rainy conditions Friday.

Duke held off Purdue by 15 strokes for its fifth team title in nine years, shooting a 2-over 290 to finish at 18-over 1,170 on LPGA International's Legends Course. Duke and Arizona State (1993-95) are the only schools to win three straight title.

"The neat thing about this team is we did not give that any air time at all," Duke coach Dan Brooks said. "We didn't talk about that. I think they love the game of golf and golf is all about one shot at a time. So, if you just have people that love to play, you don't get terribly hung up on what it means."

Lewis, six strokes behind Purdue's Christel Boeljon after a third-round 74, matched her career best with a 6-under 66 -- the best round of the tournament -- to beat Boeljon (76) and Southern California's Paola Moreno (71) by four strokes.

"Stacy made it look easy today," Arkansas coach Kelley Hester said. "She hit her approach shots close to the hole and made her putts. She's a true champion."

Lewis, a junior from The Woodlands, Texas, birdied the first five holes on the back nine to pull away. She finished at 6-under 282.

"I was a little frustrated after nine holes because I had eight or nine easy birdie putts and I only made two of them," Lewis said. "Coach told me to calm down and that it would be OK. Then, things started falling in place."

After bogeying No. 17, she made a 20-foot par putt on the 18th.

"That definitely made up for 17," Lewis said. "I felt good over it. It was uphill and hardly broke at all. It was definitely a makable putt. I calmed myself down. I was a little bit upset about 17 still and the shot into 18, but I calmed myself down and was able to make it."

Duke's Amanda Blumenherst (72) finished fourth at 1 over, UCLA's Tiffany Joh (72) followed at 3 over, and Duke's Anna Grzebien (70) was 4 over. Duke's Jennie Lee (74) and TCU's Catherine Matranga (77) tied for seventh at 6 over.

"Duke has a great tradition in women's golf and it is amazing to be a part of it and continue that tradition," Blumenherst said. "So, coming out here and getting the three-peat that has only been done by one other school is a great honor and a great achievement."

Purdue finished at 33 over, a stroke ahead of UCLA.

"It was gusty and swirly and a couple intermittent showers. That made it tough, but I take my hat off to the Lady Blue Devils," Purdue coach Devon Brouse said. "They were strong today and played well. I don't think we or UCLA really made a move at them."

Southern California was fourth at 44 over, followed by Stanford (45 over), Vanderbilt (48 over), Pepperdine (50 over) and Georgia (53 over).

 
Ask The PGA Experts
Ryder Cup
 

Most Popular Stories

Daly opens nicely in Hong Kong Open, and is chasing Liang and Sterne

HONG KONG -- John Daly put himself within four strokes of joint leaders... continue reading

Oosthuizen shares 4-way lead at Hong Kong Open

HONG KONG (AP) -- Louis Oosthuizen shot an 8-under 62 -- one shy of the... continue reading

Champions Tour star Cook leads by three at Callaway Invitational

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- John Cook shot a 10-under 62 on Thursday t... continue reading

Play Golf America

Helping To Grow The Game

One of the most important missions for the PGA of America is to promote and grow the game of golf.


About PGA.com | Advertising | Feedback | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
© 2003-2008 PGA / Turner Sports Interactive. All rights reserved.
PGA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network