Garcia Sinks Seven Birdies in Strong Final Round

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Betsy Rawls Invitational

Garcia Sinks Seven Birdies in Strong Final Round

October 21, 2018 | Women's Golf

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Texas Tech wrapped the Betsy Rawls Invitational in fifth place Sunday following a 1-under final round

By: Texas Tech Athletics Communications

LUBBOCK, Texas – Sofia Garcia sank seven birdies Sunday en route to leading Texas Tech to a fifth-place finish at the Betsy Rawls Invitational held at the University of Texas Golf Club in Austin.

All seven of Garcia's birdies came during her first 11 holes as she moved all the way into a tie for 10th on the individual leaderboard after a 4-under-par 68 final round that moved her to 2-over for the tournament. Garcia, in her first semester back after missing all but one tournament a year ago due to injury, has recorded a top-15 showing in all three of Tech's events this season.

Cecilie Nielsen added a similar under-par round as the freshman started her round with a birdie before draining 11-consecutive pars en route to a 1-under score. It was the second under-par score of Nielsen's still young career as she finished in a tie for 58th individually.

The duo helped Tech post its lowest card of the tournament as the Red Raiders were a 1-under 287 over the final 18 holes, increasing its lead over sixth place Alabama, the No. 1 team in the Golfstat poll coming into the weekend. Tech ended the tournament at 25-over to top the Crimson Tide by 14 strokes.

Mami Yamamoto and Anna Dong completed the Tech lineup with a pair of 2-over rounds, moving the pair into a tie for 26th place at 9-over. Amy Taylor chipped in a 7-over card to finish in a tie for 39th while Destiny Arenas was 21-over to conclude her first collegiate event.

The Red Raiders also topped three other top-50 teams as No. 49 SMU finished seventh at 42-over followed by No. 41 Texas A&M in eighth at 44-over and No. 40 Colorado in ninth at 45-over.

Texas held on to defend its home course as the Longhorns were 9-under as a team Sunday to cruise to a seven-stroke victory over second-place Kent State. The Golden Flashes, who came into the round tied with Texas, enjoyed a 14-stroke advantage over third place Baylor and 19 swings over fourth place Florida.

The Red Raiders close their fall slate in exactly a week at the Jim West Challenge hosted by Texas State. The two-day tournaments begins next Sunday in San Marcos.