April 11, 2010
In Tempe, Ariz., senior Jodi Ewart and sophomore Rebecca Hellbom each shot 5-under 67 to propel 24th-ranked New Mexico to one of the best rounds in school history in the final round of the PING/ASU Invitational.
The Lobos shot a 10-under 278, the second-lowest total and the second-best score in relation to par ever by a New Mexico team. UNM’s 278 was the lowest round by any team in a tournament that featured 12 of the nation’s top-29 schools.
After starting the final round in eighth place, UNM roared to a fourth place finish with a 54-hole total of 1-under 863 (291-294-278) on the par-72, 6,230-yard Karsten Golf Course. The 863 total ranks No. 4 by a Lobo golf team for 54 holes.
Ewart and Hellbom tied for the 4th-best round at UNM by finishing at 5-under. The 67 was a career-best for both golfers and one stroke shy of the Lobo mark set by Kailin Downs at the 2004 Mountain West Conference Championships.
The only schools to beat New Mexico were top-ranked UCLA, No. 2 Arizona State and No. 6 Southern Cal. UCLA shot 9-under 279 in the final round to rally past ASU by one shot. The Bruins finished at 856. USC was another stroke behind at 858.
“One of our goals was to start well, and we did,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “Britney (Choy) got us started with three straight birdies, and then Jodi (Ewart) made four in a row. Rebecca (Hellbom) was calm and cool all day and Beth (Buchner) finished strong.”
New Mexico finished ahead of seven teams ranked higher in the March 31 Golfstat.com poll: No. 5 Alabama, No. 7 Arizona, No. 8 Purdue, No. 9 Pepperdine, No. 13 Stanford, No. 14 California and No. 21 Denver.
Hellbom, who came into the weekend with a season scoring average of 75.15, ended in a tie for third with a 7-under 209 (71-71-67). The 209 is her best 54-hole total at UNM and just one shot off the school mark set by Ewart at the 2009 Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire in Albuquerque.
“It was just really solid,” said Hellbom of the lowest round of her playing career. “I hit the fairways and made a lot of putts.”
Hellbom, who posted five birdies on a bogey-free card, finished two shots behind winner Stephanie Kono from UCLA. Kono birdied the last two holes for a 66 and a 9-under 207.
Ewart started on fire with four straight birdies between holes 3 and 6. She made a bogey at 8 before adding birdies at 10 and 13. Ewart tied for sixth at 211 (72-72-67).
“I got off to a great start. The four straight birdies got me going,” said Ewart, who came into the tournament ranked as the No. 6 collegiate golfer in the nation. “My approach shots were really good. This gives us a lot of confidence going into next week and the conference championships.”
Senior Britney Choy and freshman teammate Bethany Buchner tied for 42nd at 7-over 223. Choy birdied No. 18 for a 71 today while Buchner birdied two of the final six holes for a career-best 73. It was also the best 54-hole tournament for Buchner in her first season as a Lobo.
Sophomore Sarah Salvo finished in 77th at 234 (74-80-80) while sophomore Erin Miller, competing as an individual, tied for 78th at 236 (75-82-79).
“What a tremendous boost heading into the MWC Championships,” said Trujillo of her two-time defending league champions. “It’s like we had an inoculation from bogeys today. It was exactly what we needed at this time.”
It’s a quick turnaround for New Mexico as it leaves Tuesday for the MWC Championships in Seaside, Calif. Tournament play begins Thursday morning.
Updating the New Mexico Record Book
Individual 18
5-under par: Jodi Ewart and Rebecca Hellbom (ties for 4th-best round under par; -7, Caroline Keggi, 1986 Roadrunner Invitational)
67: Jodi Ewart and Rebecca Hellbom (ties for 2nd-lowest round; 66, Kailin Downs at 2004 MWC Championships)
Individual 54 holes
209: Rebecca Hellbom (ties for 2nd-lowest; 208, Jodi Ewart, 2009 Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational)
-7: Rebecca Hellbom (ties for 3rd-lowest; -11, Jodi Ewart, 2009 Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational)
Team 18
10-under par: 2nd-lowest (-11 at 2003 Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational)
278: 2nd-lowest (277 at 2004 MWC Championships)
Team 54 holes
863: 4th lowest