DeLAND, Fla. – Charleston Southern's Bella Johnson-Schmitz and Hayley McNeill finished tied for sixth place to lead the Bucs to a fifth-place showing at the Babs Steffens Invitational. CSU shot a final round eight-over par 296 on Monday for its best effort of the tournament, hosted by Stetson University at Victoria Hills Golf Club.
Johnson-Schmitz and McNeill each recorded a six-over total of 222 to place in the top-ten of the field featuring 62 players. Johnson, aided by an eagle at the par-five 10th, played her final four holes of the day at three-under to recover from a double bogey. McNeill, along with senior Shelby Thompson (T-30th), carded CSU's best round of the day with a one-over 73.
St. Leo held onto its round two lead to cruise to the team title at +16 880. Boston University finished 18 shots back, while Stetson and Dartmouth were 19 and 20 strokes, respectively, off the pace. St. Leo's Amanda Jakobsson (-4 (212)) and Marie Coors (-3 (213)) were the top two individuals and the only players in red numbers.
Johnson-Schmitz was four over through 14 holes before getting hot late. She birdied the par-five ninth and then eagled the 440-yard tenth before capping the round with back-to-back pars.
McNeill earned her third top-ten standing this spring due in part to a strong stretch near the end of her round. The Australian rolled in three consecutive birdies at the par-four eighth and par-five ninth and tenth. She was at level par, in total, on the back nine.
Following consecutive 79's, Thompson regained her form on day three. She was one-under par, with just one bogey, after dropping two shots to start the round. Both of her birdies came on par-threes, No. 7 and No. 11.
Milleina Ohara contributed a four-over 76 for the Bucs' other counted score. Emelie Flink posted an 85.
Next up for CSU in another trip to Florida, April 3-4, at the Web.com Intercollegiate in Jacksonville. The Big South Conference Championship will follow from April 17-19.
