Sept. 26, 2011
A clutch putt on the penultimate hole made University of New Mexico sophomore Sofia Hoglund the improbable winner of the 32nd Branch Law Firm Dick McGuire Invitational played at the University of New Mexico Championship Course (par 73, 6,187 yards).
Playing as an individual, Hoglund drained a breaking downhill 35-footer for birdie on the par-3 7th to seal her first collegiate victory. It was Hoglund’s lone birdie in a round of 77 (4-over), but enough to edge Baylor’s Hayley Davis by one shot. Davis started the final round six shots behind Hoglund.
“It was a tough day,” said Hoglund, who took a two-shot lead into the final round. “That putt would have gone past by six or seven feet if it didn’t hit the hole. Obviously, I’m very happy.”
Hoglund finished at 3-under 216 (71-68-77). Her best finish in five previous tournaments as a Lobo was a tie for 59th. Hoglund’s stroke average in 2010-11 was 81.71 for 14 rounds.
A native of Kokkola, Finland, Hoglund is the sixth Lobo to take home the title, joining Pat Park (1962-63), Kristi Albers (1984), Tracy May (1994), Kailin Downs (2003) and Jodi Ewart (2008).
As it turned out, Hoglund was nearly contested by one of her Lobo teammates. Fellow sophomore Sammi Stevens shot a par 73 (two birdies, two bogeys) to finish in third at 218 (1-under).
For Stevens, she set UNM personal bests for highest finish and lowest 54-hole total. It is also the first time the sophomore has finished under par in 12 collegiate tournaments.
“Sofia and Sammi were just tremendous,” said UNM head coach Jill Trujillo. “Hopefully, these types of performances will continue.”
As a team, UNM finished eighth in the 18-team field at 29-over 905 (305-298-302). Baylor held off TCU, Denver and Northwestern to claim the championship at 887 (1-over).
Lobo junior Beth Buchner tied for 33rd at 227 (77-72-78) followed by seniors Rebecca Hellbom (232, 60th) and Sarah Salvo (233, T61st), and sophomore Manon De Roey (234, T66th).
The Lobos continue their fall season next Monday at the Windy City Collegiate outside Chicago. Northwestern is the host.