MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The GRU Augusta Jaguars opened their 2014-15 season tied for fourth at the Minnesota Invitational, hosted by the Golden Golphers on Monday and Tuesday at the Minikahda Club. The Jags combined for a team score of 300-301-306=907 for the tournament, led by sophomore Josefine Nyqvist who tied for eleventh at nine over par (74-74-77=225).
The Jags shared fourth with Texas, while East Carolina took first at 15-over par, Colorado second (+36) and Kansas third (+41). East Carolina's F. Gustafsson Spang won the individual title (69-66-72=207).
Nyqvist shaved two strokes off her total score and improved in the standings by seven spots since her last visit to the Minikahda Club in 2013. She was six over after eleven holes, but logged six pars and a birdie on No. 14 to finish her final round at 5-over par.
Sophomore Jessica Haigwood made a run to the top 20 with a round three 73, her lowest of the event to secure her a tie for 19th overall. Haigwood got to two over after consecutive bogeys on six and seven, but gained momentum with a birdie on the par-five No. 9. Two more birdies and two more bogeys on the back nine put her eleven over for the tournament. Sophomore Eunice Yi couldn't overcome a few bogeys in her third round to finish tied for 21st with a 79. Yi signed for three birdies overall and placed third for GRU.
Redshirt junior Teresa Caballer Hernani shot her second 77 of the two-day tourney to finish tied for 30th. Making her debut in the Jaguar starting lineup, Caballer Hernani recorded 39 pars and two birdies in her three rounds, while freshman Sonya Knebel carded an 80 in round three for a T59 (+23).
The par-72, 6,119 Minikahda Course welcomed the Jaguars, along with tourney host Minnesota, Cal State Fullerton, Colorado, East Carolina, Fresno State, Illinois, Kansas, Kent State, Nebraska, Purdue, SMU, Texas, and Texas State.
GRU Augusta plays in Franklin, Tenn., at the Mason Rudolph Championship on Sept. 19-21. Hosted by Vanderbilt, the Mason Rudolph will take place at the Vanderbilt Legends Club's South Course and will host Alabama, Auburn, Chattanooga, Clemson, GRU Augusta, Kentucky, Lamar, LSU, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Princeton, Tulane, and Virginia.
MINNESOTA INVITATIONAL - JAGUAR STARTING LINEUP
Josefine Nyqvist (74-74-77-225)
Jessica Haigwood (75-79-73=227)
Eunice Yi (74-75-79=228)
Teresa Caballer Hernani (77-76-77=230)
Sonya Knebel (83-76-80=239)