Mia Piccio was just inches away from potentially helping Florida grab a third consecutive win in the SunTrust Gator Women’s Invitational.
The senior women's golfer had a chance to putt for par on 18, her final hole of the day. Her shot came up just short, leaving Piccio to settle for a bogey, while her Alabama co-partner Emma Talley parred the hole.
Moments later, Elcin Ulu, Florida’s top player for the weekend, also saw a putt come up short as her long birdie attempt on 18 missed. Those two putts, along with the play of reigning national champion Alabama, haunted Florida in its comeback bid.
The Gators sat just three strokes back of the Crimson Tide following the second round and began attempting to make a comeback during the middle of the final round.
“I’m excited that it was a good tournament and an exciting finish, and we were in it for a lot of the day,” head coach Emily Bastel said.
“Obviously disappointed with the outcome; We – I think – were in the lead at one time and had a legitimate shot to win, even coming down the last few holes. It’s disappointing, but hopefully we learn from it and stay motivated because of it.”
UF went up by three strokes on Alabama midway through the final round before the shots stopped falling Florida’s way near the end. The 18th hole proved to be the turning point of who would win the tournament.
Alabama ended up winning the tournament at 865 (+25). Oklahoma finished second at 868 (+28). Florida rounded out the top three at 870 (+30).
Though the Gators did not win, the improved play of each golfer offers promise moving forward.
Piccio performed well all three days and finished tied for 19th after shooting 220 (+10). Ulu was the surprise for the Gators after finishing at tied for sixth at 215 (+5).
“I made some birdies, which was pretty nice and then I was even par,” Ulu said. “I just tried to stay on the game, just be patient and not try to hard, because the other players, they were trying to hard just going for the pin. I didn’t do that.”
Florida may have walked away with a title if not for one uncharacteristic mishap from sophomore Camilla Hedberg. Hedberg finished tied for ninth after shooting a 217 (+7), but shot a quadruple bogey on the 17th hole in the second round that proved costly for the Gators.
“I played good today; I played way better than yesterday,” Hedberg said. “I started very good and had two fast birdies in the beginning making a few good putts and was hitting it very solid.”
Senior Isabelle Lendl tied for 20th while playing in her final home tournament. She lowered her score each day and shot a 72 (+2) in the final round.
Orehek returned from injury to card a 75 (+5) in the championship round to tie for 44th.
Florida has one more regular season tournament, the Bryan National collegiate beginning on March 29, before the Southeastern Championship begins on April 19th.
The Gators men’s team also was in action this weekend and placed fourth (+9) at the Schenkel Invitational, 25 strokes back of champion Alabama (-16). Eric Banks was UF's top performer, finishing tied for 11th by shooting even par.
Piccio finished her college career Friday with a 75 (+3) in UF's final round of the NCAA Championships. The Gators finished 17th overall.
