Thomas Carries Trojans to Victory
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Led by senior Maddie Thomas the No. 5 Taylor women's golf team pulled away from the field for a dominant 22-shot victory in the Purgatory Intercollegiate on Saturday.
Thomas earned her sixth collegiate victory on Saturday as the senior from Westlake, Ohio posted the lowest round of the day with a 3-over par 75 in cool and windy conditions on the 5,850-yard, par-72 layout of Purgatory Golf Club.
Thomas entered Saturday's final round trailing Wayland Baptist's Chante Van Zyl by four strokes but the All-American made her charge during the final round with birdies on holes 10 and 14 en route to playing her final 11 holes at 1-under par to earn the one-shot victory.
Thomas's efforts were instrumental in the leading the short-handed Trojans to an 18-shot victory over No. 20 Wayland Baptist. Taylor's top player, senior Nicole Jung, did not compete due to injury but the rest of the TU squad stepped up in her absence.
Senior Taylor French earned a spot on the all-tournament team, finishing in fourth place with a two round total of 155 following rounds of 75 and 80. Fellow senior Rachel Coers played very steady golf, finishing in eighth place at 160 (78-82) while senior Annie Stimmel finished tied for ninth place at 162 (81-81).
The Trojans carded scores of 310 and 318 to finish with a two-round total of 728 while Wayland Baptist finished a distant runner-up at 646 (316-330). Crossroads League foe Mount Vernon Nazarene was next at 663 (337-326) followed by Olivet Nazarene in fourth place.
Sophomore Emma Torres earned a tie for 15th place at 169 (85-84) followed by Kailey Behrens (80-90) and Elizabeth Kemper (86-84) in a tie for 20th place. Freshman Kirsten Schrock finished in 32nd place at 176 (87-89).
The fifth-ranked Trojans return to action next weekend when TU travels to Blackthorn Golf Club for the Pilot Invitational in South Bend, Indiana.