Two perfect seasons came to a close at the Lamkin Invitational. After winning all four tournaments in the fall, No. 1 Stanford lost to San Jose State by three strokes in a cold and rainy final round at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
Similarly, top-ranked Rose Zhang, who won all three events she competed in as a freshman for the Cardinal last fall, shot 75 to lose her first college tournament to teammate Rachel Heck, last year’s College Player of the Year.
It was a statement victory for San Jose State, who had four players finish in the top 15. The Spartans came into the spring season ranked 13th by Golfweek. San Jose State’s final-round 293 bested the field by six strokes. Arizona State finished third, 11 strokes back.
The photo you have been waiting for all day!#SpartanUp pic.twitter.com/BNvBxzWSzX
— San Jose State Women's Golf (@SanJoseStWGOLF) February 15, 2022
Stanford had even notched two aces in the first day of play, with Heck dunking one on her fourth hole of the day on Monday, using a 6-iron on the 141-yard 14th. Caroline Sturdza aced the 181-year fifth hole in the second round, her 30th hole of the day.
The Cardinal held a five-stroke lead over San Jose State when the second round was suspended on Monday evening.
Senior Natasha Andrea Oon of Malaysia led the Spartans to victory with a third-place showing. She was one of only three players to finish the tournament under par. As a team, San Jose State notched three runner-up finishes in the fall.
Congrats @rachelheck2020!
The individual medalist at the Lamkin Invitational and her SEVENTH collegiate win in the last 350 days.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/i7gFXIHzFv
— Stanford Women's Golf (@StanfordWGolf) February 15, 2022
Heck closed with a 4-under 68, the best round of the day, to top the field by three strokes and collect her seventh collegiate title in 350 days. She’s now just two wins shy of Andrea Lee’s school-record nine victories. Stanford has now had four individual winners in the first five events of the season as Zhang won three times.