The Drake University women's golf team finished tied for third at the Payne Stewart Memorial Tuesday, Sept. 14. The Bulldogs finished the two-day event at Twin Oaks Country Club in Springfield, Mo. With a three-round score of 903.
 
The Bulldogs entered the final round in third and held on to their spot with a final round 305 on the par-71, 6,021-yard course.
 
"Today wasn't our best showing," said Drake head coach Rachael Pruett-Hornbaker. "We had too many unforced errors and loss of focus. But we hung on to a share of third and finished ahead of conference rivals."
 
Oral Roberts won the event at 874, followed by California Baptist at 882. Murray State moved up three spots on the final day to finish in a tie with the Bulldogs in the 16-team event.
 
Drake's Missouri Valley Conference foes in the field finished fifth (Missouri State) and eighth (Bradley).
 
Kristen Giles continued her steady play in the final round, finishing at +17, 72 for a three-day total of 218 to finish in eighth place. Her final round tied for the third-best of the day.
 
"Kristen had a great showing and played steady golf," Pruett-Hornbaker said. "When mistakes did happen, she didn't carry it over. It was a really solid performance and we know she has better golf in her."
 
Haeri Lee finished just three strokes behind her teammate at 221 after a final day 75 to take 13^th. Kelly Kavanagh and Aayushi Sarkar had matching 79s on the final day and each finished at 235 to tie for 50^th while Sam Paulak fell to 56^th on the final day and finished at 237.
 
The Bulldogs return to the range and their home course for the next two weeks to prepare for their next event, the Stampede at the Creek, hosted by Omaha in Elkhorn, Neb.
 
Payne Stewart Memorial
3. Drake, 298-300-305 – 903
8. Kristen Giles, 71-75-72 – 218
13. Haeri Lee, 74-72-75 – 221
T50. Kelly Kavanagh, 75-81-79 – 235
T50. Aayushi Sarkar, 79-77-79 – 235
T56. Sam Paulak, 78-76-83 – 237