NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UCFKnights.com) - The Knights wrapped up the Mason Rudolph Championship this weekend, taking fourth place in a 15-team field. Freshman Maria Balcazar led the Knights, finishing tied for fourth among individuals.
"I'm really proud of Maria [Balcazar] but I can honestly say I'm not surprised," UCF Head Coach Emily Marron said. "She's a solid player and I knew she could compete with best college players."
Balcazar saved her best for last, firing a final round 68 (-4) to finish the tournament 70-71-68= 209 (-7).
She was the only player not from Alabama to finish in the top-five as the Crimson Tide ran away with the event, finishing 43 shots ahead of the field.
Senior Ashley Holder finished tied for 34th shooting +7 while senior Ayaka Nakayama tied for 37th turning in a +8.
Senior Johanna Larsson and junior Kaeli Jones finished the event tied for 44th with a +9.
Alabama (-39) ran away with the team competition while SMU (+4) finished second and Northwestern (+7) third. The fourth place finish marks the Knights (+12) best finish in a season-opening event since finishing third in the "Mo" Morial in 2013.
Next up, UCF will stay close to home as they head to the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee for the Annika Invitational Sept. 25-27.
| UCF Results - Mason Rudolph Championship | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Total |
| T4 Maria Balcazar | 70 (-2) | 71 (-1) | 68 (-4) | 209 (-7) |
| T34 Ashley Holder | 72 (E) | 76 (+4) | 75 (+3) | 223 (+7) |
| T37 Ayaka Nakayama | 76 (+4) | 75 (+3) | 73 (+1) | 224 (+8) |
| T44 Johanna Larsson | 73 (+1) | 75 (+3) | 77 (+5) | 225 (+9) |
| T44 Kaeli Jones | 77 (+5) | 72 (E) | 76 (+4) | 225 (+9) |
| Team Results -- Mason Rudolph Championship | ||||
| School | Rd 1 | Rd 2 | Rd 3 | Total |
| 1. Alabama | 284 | 278 | 263 | 825 (-39) |
| 2. SMU | 288 | 293 | 287 | 868 (+4) |
| 3. Northwestern | 284 | 296 | 291 | 871 (+7) |
| 4. UCF | 291 | 293 | 292 | 876 (+12) |