University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday, September 17
Knoxville, TN | Cherokee Country Club
All Day
University of Tennessee
vs
Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship
Lady Vols Card Record Round in Final Day of Mercedes-Benz Collegiate
September 17, 2019 | Women's Golf
Tennessee fired a final round of 274 (-10) to break the program record for the lowest recorded round
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship on Tuesday, the University of Tennessee women's golf program set a new record.
The Lady Vols carded the lowest round in school history with a round of 274 (-10) to close out the 23rd edition of the tournament. It was two strokes lower than the previous school record set in 2015 at the NCAA San Antonio Regional and in 2019 at the FAU Winter Warm Up.
It also set a new program low in the tournament's history, as Tennessee was three strokes lower than Iowa State's score of 277 in 2015. It helped the Lady Vols leap four teams on the final day of the tournament, helping them finish fourth overall on the team leaderboard.
Every player in the lineup was par or better in the final round with sophomore Mikayla Bardwell leading the way with a career low of 67 (-4). After a bogey on her second hole of the round, Bardwell quickly got to under par on the back nine as she was 5-under during that stretch with three birdies and an eagle.
The round helped her be one of the biggest movers in the tournament jumping up 22 spots on the individual leaderboard en route to a top-20 finish in the tournament. Her round of 67 is tied for the 14th lowest score in tournament history and was the second lowest score in the event this year.
For the second time in as many starts, freshman Nicole Whiston ended the event as the low Lady Vol on the leaderboard as her final round 69 (-2) helped her finish inside of the top 10, individually.
Through six rounds this season, the San Diego, California native has shot 73 or better in each round and has had five rounds of par or better. Her round Tuesday marked the first time in her collegiate career she has scored in the 60s.
Her older sister Waverly Whiston provided a big boost to the team score on Tuesday, finishing with a season-low 68 (-3) at Cherokee Country Club. She tied her sister for a team-high five birdies in the round and only had one blemish to her scorecard on the day.
In all, the Lady Vols finished with four players inside of the top 25 as Mariah Smith tied for 20th as an individual while Malia Stovall tied for 25th after moving up 13 spots in the final round.
Coach's Take
On the difference in today's round:
"We were really nervous yesterday because we wanted to play well. We got off to a bad start so we were never able to settle down. Today, they went out to just play more relaxed and put on a good show for everyone who works so hard to put on the event." – Coach Judi Pavon
On finishing as the top Lady Vol and having consistent rounds:
"Nicole is a very talented and smart golfer. She really doesn't have any big weaknesses and is playing with a lot of confidence. She has been great for us to count on through these first two tournaments. We often have freshmen come in an play well, it always makes the teams so much stronger when they do." Coach Judi Pavon
On caring this momentum over to the next event:
"We needed to see ourselves play well especially going into a two week break. Now we know what we are capable of and can keep working toward rounds like this more often."– Coach Judi Pavon
Final Scores Scores:
Team
Tennessee Team
Tennessee Individual
Next Up:
The Lady Vols are off of the course until October when they travel to play in the Illini Women's Invitational at historic Medinah Country Club. The course has hosted three US Open's (1949, 1975 and 1990), two PGA Championships (1999 and 2006) and the 2012 Ryder Cup.
The Lady Vols carded the lowest round in school history with a round of 274 (-10) to close out the 23rd edition of the tournament. It was two strokes lower than the previous school record set in 2015 at the NCAA San Antonio Regional and in 2019 at the FAU Winter Warm Up.
It also set a new program low in the tournament's history, as Tennessee was three strokes lower than Iowa State's score of 277 in 2015. It helped the Lady Vols leap four teams on the final day of the tournament, helping them finish fourth overall on the team leaderboard.
Every player in the lineup was par or better in the final round with sophomore Mikayla Bardwell leading the way with a career low of 67 (-4). After a bogey on her second hole of the round, Bardwell quickly got to under par on the back nine as she was 5-under during that stretch with three birdies and an eagle.
The round helped her be one of the biggest movers in the tournament jumping up 22 spots on the individual leaderboard en route to a top-20 finish in the tournament. Her round of 67 is tied for the 14th lowest score in tournament history and was the second lowest score in the event this year.
For the second time in as many starts, freshman Nicole Whiston ended the event as the low Lady Vol on the leaderboard as her final round 69 (-2) helped her finish inside of the top 10, individually.
Through six rounds this season, the San Diego, California native has shot 73 or better in each round and has had five rounds of par or better. Her round Tuesday marked the first time in her collegiate career she has scored in the 60s.
Her older sister Waverly Whiston provided a big boost to the team score on Tuesday, finishing with a season-low 68 (-3) at Cherokee Country Club. She tied her sister for a team-high five birdies in the round and only had one blemish to her scorecard on the day.
In all, the Lady Vols finished with four players inside of the top 25 as Mariah Smith tied for 20th as an individual while Malia Stovall tied for 25th after moving up 13 spots in the final round.
Coach's Take
On the difference in today's round:
"We were really nervous yesterday because we wanted to play well. We got off to a bad start so we were never able to settle down. Today, they went out to just play more relaxed and put on a good show for everyone who works so hard to put on the event." – Coach Judi Pavon
On finishing as the top Lady Vol and having consistent rounds:
"Nicole is a very talented and smart golfer. She really doesn't have any big weaknesses and is playing with a lot of confidence. She has been great for us to count on through these first two tournaments. We often have freshmen come in an play well, it always makes the teams so much stronger when they do." Coach Judi Pavon
On caring this momentum over to the next event:
"We needed to see ourselves play well especially going into a two week break. Now we know what we are capable of and can keep working toward rounds like this more often."– Coach Judi Pavon
Final Scores Scores:
Team
| 1 | Kent State | -22 (830) |
| 2 | Charlotte | -17 (835) |
| 3 | LSU | +7 (859) |
| 4 | Tennessee | +11 (863) |
| 5 | Maryland | +15 (867) |
| 6 | Augusta | +17 (869) |
| 7 | Chattanooga | +20 (872) |
| 8 | Mercer | +30 (882) |
| 9 | Tulane | +34 (886) |
| 10 | Middle Tennessee | +35 (887) |
| 11 | UT-San Antonio | +36 (888) |
| 12 | South Dakota State | +48 (900) |
| 13 | Memphis | +54 (906) |
| 14 | Southern Miss | +58 (910) |
| 15 | East Tennessee State | +61 (913) |
| 16 | Eastern Kentucky | +69 (921) |
Tennessee Team
| Nicole Whiston | T9 | 212 (-1) |
| Mikayla Bardwell | T16 | 215 (+2) |
| Malia Stovall | T25 | 219 (+6) |
| Waverly Whiston | T32 | 220 (+7) |
| Micheala Williams | T40 | 222 (+9) |
Tennessee Individual
| Mariah Smith | T20 | 217 (+4) |
| Shelby Liford | T40 | 222 (+9) |
Next Up:
The Lady Vols are off of the course until October when they travel to play in the Illini Women's Invitational at historic Medinah Country Club. The course has hosted three US Open's (1949, 1975 and 1990), two PGA Championships (1999 and 2006) and the 2012 Ryder Cup.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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