South Carolina’s women threatened to run away with the Moon Golf Invitational title in their first start of the spring season last week. The Gamecocks had it to 30 under midway through the third round at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Florida, and ultimately ended 54 holes at 24 under, six shots ahead of runner-up LSU.
The Gamecocks draw experience from three fifth-year seniors, and at the Moon Golf event, a seasoned sophomore led the way. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard is the No. 4-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. She played the first 45 holes in 15 under before coming home with two closing bogeys. Still, Roussin-Bouchard won the individual title.
When they needed to, Roussin-Bouchard’s teammates stepped up to fill the scoring void. Her final-round 73 didn’t even count toward the team total in the final round.
The win was truly a team effort.
“To watch the others just step up in that situation was exactly what I was looking for,” head coach Kalen Anderson said. “That’s what’s really going to carry us through, I think, late in the spring.”
Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Women’s team | Women’s individual
College golf blog: The Road to Grayhawk