Nicole Whiston and Micheala Williams Place in Top 10 at Magnolia Invitational

Monday, October 14

West Point, MS | Old Waverly Golf Course

All Day

University of Tennessee

Magnolia Invitational

Nicole Whiston and Micheala Williams Place in Top 10 at Magnolia Invitational

October 14, 2019 | Women's Golf

Leaderboard

Tennessee finished the tournament in fourth place with the help of four players inside of the top 25

By: Andy Kovar

WEST POINT, Miss. – After having the second lowest round on the course in the final round of the Magnolia Invitational, the Tennessee women's golf team nearly moved in to the top three on the leaderboard on Tuesday.

The Lady Vols, who came into the 36-hole day tied for fourth, posted a second round of 289 (+1) and final round of 282 (-6), finishing just two strokes back of Auburn for third.

Their third round score is tied for the seventh lowest third round score in program history with three players below par. This included senior Micheala Williams who tied for the second lowest round on the course with a 68 (-4).

With the help of her season-low round, Williams elevated into the top 10 on the leaderboard, ending with a season-best seventh place finish. The 2018 All-SEC selection finished the weekend with a 54-hole score of 212 (-4) as she was one of two Lady Vols to earn a top-10 finish.

For the fourth time in as many events this season, freshman Nicole Whiston was the top Lady Vol on the leaderboard. Whiston grabbed her third consecutive top-10 finish, placing sixth on the individual leaderboard with a 54-hole score of 211 (-5).

She was one of just four players in the 60-player field to be below par in all three rounds at Old Waverly Golf Club, the host site for the 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship.

After turning in first and second round scores of 71 (-1), Whiston closed out her tournament with her third round in the 60s this season. She carded a third round 69 (-3).

Junior Waverly Whiston and sophomore Mikayla Bardwell picked up top-25 finishes at the Magnolia Invitational as well.

Waverly Whiston turned in three consecutive rounds of 74 (+2) to place 21st in the event while Bardwell tied for 25th with the help of a final round 71 (-1).

Coach's Take
On how the course played today:
"The weather was perfect today. It was cold and rainy (Sunday) and a few of the pins were harder than (Sunday)." – Coach Judi Pavon

On the low scores at a well-renowned course:
"This is a great course and in perfect condition, which was a treat. I'm proud of the way everyone fought all day long today. Mikayla struggled on the back nine in the first round today, but bounced back with a great second round today. Hadley was right there in round two and Waverly kept it together and grinded in both rounds. Nicole and Micheala both played really well all day." -- Coach Judi Pavon

On what Micheala Williams playing well does for the team:
"When Micheala and Nicole both playing well, we are a really strong team. It was great to see Micheala back to her old self this week and hopefully she will keep that confidence for the next tournament."– Coach Judi Pavon

Final Scores:
Team

1	LSU	-8 (856)
2	Mississippi State	-4 (860)
3	Auburn	E (864)
4	Tennessee	+2 (866)
5	Chattanooga	+29 (893)
6	Kennesaw State	+32 (896)
7	Tulsa	+33 (897)
8	South Florida	+42 (906)
9	Iowa	+44 (908)
10	Memphis	+67 (931)
11	Southern Miss	+72 (936)

Tennessee Team

Nicole Whiston	6	211 (-5)
Micheala Williams	7	212 (-4)
Waverly Whiston	21	222 (+6)
Mikayla Bardwell	T25	224 (+8)
Hadley Walts	T37	229 (+13)

Next Up: The Lady Vols close out the fall slate of tournaments in two weeks when they travel to Nassau, Bahamas to take part in the White Sands Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course. The first round is schedule for Oct. 28 with play continuing through Oct. 30.