Powerade Cougar Classic Final Results
HANAHAN, S.C. – Sparked by a sensational performance by senior Courtney Zeng, the Commodore women’s golf team used a record-breaking round Monday to claim second-place honors at the storm-shortened Powerade Cougar Classic.
The Vanderbilt foursome of Zeng, freshman Auston Kim, junior Abbey Carlson and sophomore Louise Yu combined to blister the Yeamans Hall Golf Club with a 19-under 269 total in the second round, helping the Commodores to a two-day total of 27-under par 549. The total earned Vanderbilt a strong second-place finish in the tournament, which was shortened to 36 holes due to the approach of Hurricane Florence on the Carolina coastline.
The 269 team score smashes the program’s single-round scoring record. Vanderbilt’s former best 18-hole team score was a 274 produced in final-round play of the 2014 NCAA Regional.
Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen was delighted by his team’s performance at the opening competition of the fall campaign.
“I’m so, so proud of these girls,” Allen said. “I just witnessed this team put together the best round in the history of our program and it was so much fun to watch. These last two days, I saw a group of girls competing and having a lot of fun playing the game they love. As a coach, that’s exactly what you want to see. Hats off to Florida today for playing lights out, but I’m extremely proud of our team.”
Even though Allen’s entire Commodore squad contributed to the record team tally, none could match the play of Zeng, Vanderbilt’s lone senior who entered the tournament with a collegiate best of 3-under par 69. On Monday, Zeng put together one of the finest rounds ever by a Vanderbilt player, making eight birdies, including four in a row on the back nine, to fire a 7-under par 65.
Zeng’s performance matched the lowest competitive round in program history. She joins recent LPGA Tour winner Marina Alex and Megan Grehan as the only Vanderbilt women golfers to shoot 65.
Remarkably, Zeng’s two-day total of 10-under 134 didn’t take individual honors. Florida’s Sierra Brooks captured the tourney with 65-62 total of 17-under 127.
Zeng, from Orlando, Fla., received plenty of support from her Commodore teammates. Kim, Carlson and Yu showed superb Vanderbilt depth by notching top-15 individual finishes.
Kim, from St. Augustine, Fla., dazzled in playing in her first collegiate event. The freshman carded a 6-under par 66, highlighted by five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th hole. Kim’s two-day total of 8-under 136 resulted in a tie for third place in the individual competition.
Carlson, from Lake Mary, Fla., had an eagle and five birdies in a 4-under par round of 68. She finished in a tie for ninth place with a 36-hole total of 5-under 139.
Yu, from Duluth, Ga., posted back-to-back rounds of 2-under par 70 to finish in a tie for 15th place.
Virginia Green, from Fairhope, Ala., was the fifth Commodore participating in the tourney. She finished T-57th with a two-day total of 149.
The Commodores will return to action Sept. 21-23 when they host the Mason Rudolph Championship at the Vanderbilt Legends North Course.
