STANFORD, Calif. – Mariah Stackhouse calmly sank a 33-foot birdie putt on the final hole of the Stanford Intercollegiate to secure a share of the team title for Stanford. Under picturesque Sunday settings at the Stanford Golf Course, Stackhouse’s putt sealed the deal on her even-par 71 round and helped the Cardinal rebound to tie with USC for top honors among the 17-team field.
It was Stanford’s second win at the event since its inception in 1995, and first since 1997. USC won the event outright in 2012 and 2013, giving the Trojans at least a share of the title or better for three straight seasons.
Only a few shots separated No. 4 Stanford, No. 6 USC and No. 10 UCLA throughout the duration of the back nine on the final stretch of the three-day, 54-hole tournament hosted by Dr. Condoleezza Rice. The event featured five of the nation’s top-10 programs.
The Cardinal (282-280-275) and USC (284-279-274) both finished 15-under at the par-71 layout. UCLA was 14-under and fourth-place Washington was 1-under.
UCLA’s Bronte Law took medalist honors with an 8-under performance, two strokes clear of runner-ups Doris Chen (USC) and Louise Ridderstrom (UCLA).
“I couldn't be more pleased with our team effort this week,” said Anne Walker, Stanford’s Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women’s Golf. “We saw strong, under-par contributions from every player. Our goal this week was to have a chance to win on the back nine, knowing we were within striking distance.”
While the heroics of veteran Stackhouse secured the win for Stanford, it was the outstanding final round of freshman Shannon Aubert that kept the Cardinal in contention. In her home debut, Aubert contributed a bogey-free 64, the best round by any player throughout the tournament which tied her for a team-best seventh overall at 4-under.
“Shannon’s 64 today was particularly impressive, and top to bottom, we were solid,” Walker said.
Aubert birdied her opening hole and was 3-under at the turn. She added back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12, then again on 16 and 17.
Seven birdies for a bogey-free 64. What a way for @ShannonAubert1 to end her home debut. #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/IOijOPqUDG
— Stanford W Golf (@StanfordWGolf) October 19, 2014
Lauren Kim tied for ninth at 3-under after consecutive rounds of 68 to close her final 36 holes.
Stackhouse (67-74-71) tied for 16th at 1-under. Casey Danielson followed her opening-round 69 with rounds of 72-72, tying for 21st at even-par.
Quirine Eijkenboom (72-69-78) tied for 47th at 6-over, giving Stanford five players in the top 50.
With its lone home tournament in the books, Stanford packs its bags for the Pac-12 Preview (Nov. 3-4) in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.