Kent State University
ICON Invitational
Final Round Surge Helps Flashes Finish Third
2/26/2019 7:14:00 PM | Women's Golf
THE WOODLANDS, Texas - No. 9 Kent State finished third of 15 teams, following day two of the ICON Invitational Tuesday at The Woodlands Country Club. The Golden Flashes round three score of 280, was four strokes better than any other team's best round of the tournament.
"I was really proud of the way we came back and put ourselves in position to win," Head Coach Greg Robertson said. "The way we competed today was a sign of a really good team."
Juniors Karoline Stormo and Pimnipa Panthong fueled the Flashes' 8-under round. Panthong's ace on the 14th hole led to a 4-under 68, tying for the second best round of the day. Her third place 211 for the tournament was just four strokes behind medalist Alice Hewson (Clemson).
"Pim used a 6-iron," Robertson said. "And it was first her hole-in-one in a competition."
Stormo's 5-under 67 on Tuesday was the best round of the tournament. Battling back from a pair of penalty strokes, she fired seven birdies in the final round and finished tied for 14th place with a 220.
"Karoline made five birdies in a row that really kickstarted us as a team," Robertson said.
Tied for fifth to start the day, Kent State moved up the team leaderboard behind a strong finish. Stormo and sophomore Chloe Salort both made birdie putts on their final hole. The late charge helped the Flashes leap over No. 20 TCU. Kent State finished four strokes behind tournament champion and host Houston and one stroke behind second place Purdue.
Like Panthong and Stormo, Salort and freshman Thitapa Pakdeesettaul saved their best rounds for last. Salort had an an even par 72 on Tuesday. She carded seven birdies over three rounds and tied for 24th place with a 222.
Pakdeesettaul shot a 1-over 73 in round three, improving on her second round performance by five strokes. She finished tied for 37th place with a 225.
"We played flat yesterday, but we took a lot of positives out of today," Robertson said. "I think we learned some lessons that we can use for the rest of the season."
Senior Michaela Finn scored for the Flashes in round two and finished the tournament tied for 57th place with a 241.
Kent State returns to action March 11-12 at the BYU at Entrada Classic.
Players Mentioned
