LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Senior Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan recorded another top-10 finish as the Southern Utah University women's golf team wrapped up tournament play at the Aggie Invite, hosted by New Mexico State University Wednesday afternoon.
Yongyuan finished the tournament even (71-72-73—216) after carding a one-over-par 73 on the competition's final day. The Thailand native nailed three birdies on the day and made par on 13 of 18 holes. Her efforts were good for eighth place overall.
As a team, the Thunderbirds finished 16th overall on a 65-over-par 929 (315-308-306). SUU improved its score as a team all three days of the tournament, posting its best team round on Wednesday.
A big reason for Southern Utah's improvement each day was the individual improvement of Tanyatorn (Excel) Thalangkarn. Just like the team as a whole, Thalangkarn improved her scores each day, finishing strong with a one-over-par 73. For the tournament, the sophomore finished in 67th place on a 16-over-par 232 (82-77-73).
Incarnate Word claimed the team victory on a one-under-par 863. New Mexico State and Boise State rounded out the top three in the team standings. Southern Utah finished tied with Big Sky foe Montana State, and placed in front of North Dakota, future WAC rival Stephen F. Austin and CSU Baskersfield. Ellen Nicholas of Incarnate Word took home the individual victory by posting an eight-under-par 208.
Anais Guibal showed consistency for the T-Birds through 54 holes, finishing the tournament in 74th place at 20 over par (78-79-79). Ellie Hair and Cornelia Karlsson finished within two strokes of each other as Hair finished the tournament 29 over par (84-80-81) and Karlsson 31 over par (85-81-81).
The Thunderbirds will take a few weeks off before returning to the course in Boulder City, Nevada at The Clash at Boulder Creek. The competition hosted by Northern Arizona will run October 24-26.
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