Johnson–After jumping from fifth to second on day two of the SEC Women’s Golf Championship, the Razorbacks finished where they started in the final round, a shot behind Auburn.
Sophomore Emily Tubert ended up third individually after rebounding from a difficult first round. She fired a final round of 73, one over par, on the brutal Blessings Golf Course outside of Fayetteville.
With three holes to play the Razorback appeared to have the championship in hand leading by six strokes over Auburn but the Tigers overhauled Arkansas on a par putt by the Tigers’ final golfer on 18.
“It is a little bittersweet right now,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “This group has put in so much hard work this year and this was one of our main goals to be able to compete in front of our home fans and win a championship. To fall one shot short after hitting 800 plus shots is disappointing. There is truly no lead out here and you are always just one shot away from a big number.”
Sophomore Emma Lavy finished tied for sixth overall shooting a 288 for the three-day event. Lavy was the Razorbacks’ leader the first round rounds going 73-72 but struggled with an 83 in the final round for a 228.
Sophomore Emily Podzielinski tied for 17th in her first SEC Championship. She posted rounds of 81-77-74 for 232. Podzielinski gave Arkansas a chance with dramatic shot on 18. Punching out of the rough she holed the shot from 91 yards out.
Junior Victoria Vela finished tied for 34th overall shooting 239 and freshman Hally Leadbetter tied for 53rd with 250 in her first SEC Championship.
The Razorbacks now await word of a possible selection to the NCAA Regional Championships at one of three sites. NCAA Regionals begin May 10-12, at Penn State in the East, Ohio State in the Central or Colorado Nationals Golf Club in the West.
