Panthong scores third consecutive tournament win at Lady Buckeye Invitational

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The Kent State women’s golf team poses after placing second at the rain-shortened Lady Buckeye Invitational on April 15, 2018. Pimnipa Panthong shared the individual title.  

Amanda Levine

After the first day of the Lady Buckeye Invitational, Kent State sophomore Pimnipa Panthong was tied for first place through 36 holes.

The weather got the best of the tournament when the final round was cancelled. Panthong was named co-champion, her third straight tournament win.

Panthong led the tournament in birdies with 10 and finished 5-under. The Flashes also led the tournament in birdies as a team with 27.

“Pim has been playing some great golf over the last month,” coach Greg Robertson said. “It’s hard enough to win one college tournament, let alone three in a row. Ohio State’s course is one of the toughest we play all year, and she made it look effortless for those 36 holes.”

The No. 16 Flashes finished in second place behind No. 29 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Kent State ranked higher than No. 12 Michigan State and No. 15 Washington.

After the tournament’s rain-shortened 36 holes, Karoline Stormo finished in a two-way tie for sixth place after carding four birdies. Kelly Nielsen, Kory Nielsen and Chloe Salort also all had four birdies at the end of the day.

Kelly Nielsen and Salort both tied for 27th, finishing 7-over. Kory Nielsen tied for 45th and finished 10-over.

Michaela Finn finished 5-over through 36 holes and tied for 20th. She had five birdies and is ranked No. 83 in the country in the individual golf rankings.

Julia Goodson competed individually, finished 12-over and led the team with 26 pars.

“Our team is usually pretty gritty when it comes to playing in adverse conditions,” Robertson said. “That’s why we were hoping to finish the tournament today when it would have played tough for everyone.”

Looking forward, the Flashes will attempt to win their 20th consecutive Mid-American Conference Championship April 20-22 at Naperville Country Club in Naperville, Illinois.

Amanda Levine is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].