Down to the Wire

April 19, 2016

UCF Athletics Social Media Directory

By Bill Morrison
UCFKnights.com

PALM COAST, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - Once again the American Athletic Conference Championship came down to a single shot at Hammock Beach Resort's Ocean Course. UCF junior Ashley Holder finished runner-up while the Knights took fifth.

Two years ago, UCF was beaten by Louisville on the final shot in team play while last season the Knights Monifa Sealy won individual medalist in a sudden death playoff. After leading all players going into Tuesdays final round, Holder was in the clubhouse tied for the lead at even par for the championship.

But in the end, East Carolina's Frida Gustafsson Spang was able to make birdie on the final hole, beating holder by a single stroke. The two were the only players to shoot par or better for the championship. Holder dropped 10 birdies and 35 pars carding rounds of 75-70-71=216 (E).

UCF junior Ayaka Nakayama also had a strong showing. She finished tied for 11th among individuals ultimately carding a 226 (+10). Junior Johanna Larsson was 22nd, with a 235 (+19) and senior Mary Mulcahy finished 36th after an even-par final round got her to a 243 (+27) for the championship.

In team play, Spangs (+40) Pirates finished second to Houston (+30) after the Cougars built a big lead on day two and never looked back. South Florida (+46) was third while SMU (+50) was fourth and UCF (+54) was fifth.