PLEASANTON, Calif. – Junior Casey Danielson and senior Lauren Kim closed with under par rounds Wednesday to help sixth-ranked Stanford finish seventh in the Pac-12 Championships at Ruby Hill Golf Club.
Danielson posted her best round of the 54-hole event with five birdies and three bogeys to shoot a 2-under 70. The steady Kim made two birdies and only one bogey to record 71.
“We don’t feel that disappointed,” said Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women’s Golf Anne Walker. “We play in a tough conference. It’s the nation’s best. If you play average, you’re going to finish seventh.”
Seven of the 11 Pac-12 teams are ranked 15th or higher, led by top-ranked UCLA and second-ranked USC.
The Trojans won the team title, combing for a conference-record 18-under score of 846. The Cardinal concluded at 7-over 871, shooting 2-over 290 on Wednesday in the best four out of five player scoring.
Kim paced the Cardinal with a tie for 20th at 1-over 217, 12 strokes behind medalist Linnea Strom of Arizona State. It marked Kim’s sixth top 20 showing of the season.
Senior Mariah Stackhouse shot a final-round 74 and tied for 27th at 4-over 220, while Danielson, freshman Sierra Kersten (75) and sophomore Shannon Aubert (78) earned a share of 32nd at 5-over 221.
Walker was pleased with the comeback by Danielson, and the overall play of Kersten. The latter competed for only the third time in her collegiate career and contributed each day.
“She made a lot of birdies and handled herself like a veteran,” Walker said.
Following play, all-conference selections were announced. Kim and Stackhouse garnered All-Pac-12 honors for the fourth-consecutive year. Stackhouse made the first team for the fourth-straight season, while Kim accomplished it for the second year in a row.
Aubert was chosen honorable mention.
Kim also received the 2015-16 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
Stanford will next host and compete in the NCAA Regionals, May 5-7 at Stanford Golf Course. Eighteen teams and six individuals will play for berths in the NCAA Championships, May 20-25 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon. Stanford is the defending national champion.
All regional participants will be announced Monday during a live selection show on the Golf Channel at 3 p.m. PT.