Team earns first title with comeback win

By Purdue Sports Information

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Purdue women's golf team beat the No. 1 team in the nation and came from three shots back to win the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships on Sunday after firing a final round 305.

The Boilermakers finished with a 902, beating out Auburn by five strokes and No. 1 Duke by eight. It's the first team title for the Boilermakers in the 2001-02 season.

"It feels real good to get this win," said Purdue coach Devon Brouse. "When you come to a tournament like this where the best teams in the country are and win, it shows where you are as a program. I hope this inspires us to play better golf and keep moving on to bigger things."

The Boilermakers had two individuals in the top five — junior Kari Damron, who placed first with a one-under-par 217 on the weekend, and senior Caroline Laurens, who placed fifth with a 222.

Sophomore Beth Hermes finished tied for 23rd place with a 230, and junior Heather Zielinski fired a 79 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 31st with a 233.

Scores could have been lower if it weren't for the windy, rainy weather throughout the three-day event.

"A 305 final-round score is pretty high," said Brouse. "That just shows you that the conditions were tough out here and difficult to play well in and that our girls overcame the challenge of the weather."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

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Doug Healey

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