BOULDER CITY, Nev. - Idaho made a charge on the final day of the Big Sky Women's Golf Championships Sunday, shooting a 4-under 284 to leap two spots and finish in second place. The Vandals shot the third-best single-round team score in tournament history, but could not catch Sacramento State. Sophomore
Valeria Patino earned all-tournament honors with a fourth-place individual finish.
"I was very excited to see the team play so well today," said head coach
Lisa Johnson. "We fought back and gave it our all even after those first two rounds."
Idaho has finished in the top three of each conference championship since returning to the Big Sky in 2015. The Vandals won the league title in 2016 and 2018 and now owns runner-up finishes in 2017 and 2019. Idaho and Sacramento State have alternated finishing first and second each of the last four years.
Patino turned in a 3-under 69 in the final round to close out the tournament at 1-over 217. The fourth-place showing is Patino's best finish of her career. She took 12th at the 2018 conference championships.
Freshman
Vicky Tsai posted the round of the day, shooting a 68 with five birdies and just one bogey. Tsai jumped 14 spots on the leaderboard to finish in a tie for 16th at 8-over (224).
"It was extremely encouraging to see such solid performances from the young duo of Vicky and Valeria," Johnson said.
Senior
Sophie Hausmann also shot under par Sunday, carding a 1-under 71. Hausmann had five birdies and four bogeys over the course of the day, including a birdie on 16 to get her back under par. She finished tied for 11th at 4-over for the tournament. Hausmann has posted a top-25 finish in 24 of her last 26 events, including 16 straight.
Fellow senior
Michelle Kim fired a 4-over 76 in the final round to finish the tournament at 10-over and in a tie for 21st. Kim finished in the top 25 at each of the four conference tournaments during her career.
"I can't say enough about the impact Michelle and Sophie have had on this program for the last four years. Two conference titles and a long list of accomplishments only start to explain what they've meant to Idaho golf. We're excited to celebrate their graduation and we are going to miss them dearly."
Hausmann and the Vandals will await the NCAA Selection Show Wednesday (2:30 p.m. PT), on Golf Channel. Hausmann is vying for one of 24 invitations handed out to individuals from teams that do not advance to NCAA Regionals.
Team Results
2.        Idaho                      887 (23-over; 296-307-284)
Individual Results
4.      Â
Valeria Patino          217 (1-over; 73-75-69)
T-11. Â
Sophie Hausmann  220 (4-over; 74-75-71)
T-16. Â
Vicky Tsai               224 (8-over; 76-80-68)
T-21. Â
Michelle Kim             226 (10-over; 73-77-76)
52.     Â
Danika Palm             247 (31-over; 80-88-79)