The fifth-ranked University of Florida women’s golf team wrapped up second place and was edged by New Mexico by one stroke as the final round of the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational came to a close on Wednesday at The University of Texas Golf Club.

The Lady Gators held the lead for most of the day and went on to post a final-round 319 (+31) to finish at 48-over 624. First-round leader New Mexico shot a final-round 320 (+32) and concluded the rain-shortened 36-hole tournament at 47-over 623 to record the wire-to-wire finish. Host Texas took third – six shots behind Florida – at 54-over 630.

Inclement weather canceled Tuesday’s second round and forced officials to shorten the tournament to 36 holes due to travel plans. Despite resuming play on Wednesday, tough, windy conditions combined with a challenging layout resulted in high scores for all teams.

UF’s second-place finish was its third runner-up showing of the season. The Lady Gators have averaged a second-place finish in all tournaments played this season with no finish lower than fifth.

Senior Whitney Myers (East Berlin, Pa.) took runner-up honors after a final-round 76 left her at 8-over 152. Myers entered the day in a tie for seventh place but claimed sole possession of second, which tied her career-best finish set on two previous occasions. Arkansas’ Stacy Lewis won the individual medal as her 77 (+5) put her at 7-over 151, one shot better than Myers’ cumulative total.

Myers battled through the gusty conditions to post a 2-over 38 on her front nine. She opened her round with six straight pars. After a bogey on the par-4 10th, Myers reeled off seven straight pars to claim a share of the lead. However, she closed with a bogey on the par-4 18th that dropped her back to 8-over for the tournament.

First-round leader redshirt junior Ornella Jouven (La Ciotat, France) dropped three spots and finished in a three-way tie for fourth. Jouven, who entered the day at even-par, carded a final-round 11-over 83, raising her 36-hole total to 155. Jouven tied for the lowest finish of her career by matching her previous-best mark of a tie for fourth place at the 2005 Lady Wildcat Invitational.

Jouven finished the tournament with five birdies, including two in her final round. The senior posted a 3-over 39 on her front nine and played her final nine holes at 8-over.

Senior Tiffany Chudy (Miramar, Fla.) was the third Lady Gator to record a top-15 finish this week. Chudy’s 8-over 80 vaulted her six spots to a tie for 13th place at 14-over 158. Chudy rolled in two birdies in her final round and played her front and back nines at 3-over and 5-over, respectively.

Freshman Hannah Yun (Bradenton, Fla.) ended Wednesday’s round with a tie for 24th place. Yun fired an 8-over 81 and finished at 16-over 160. Freshman Jessica Yadloczky (Casselberry, Fla.) tallied a final-round 82 and secured a tie for 38th place at 19-over 163.

Florida plays its final tournament prior to the Southeastern Conference Championship when the Lady Gators travel to the Bryan National Collegiate, March 28-30, in Browns Summitt, N.C.

Final Team Scores

Final Individual Top 10

Final Florida Results