Brianna places 2nd at Fresno State Classic
My goal this week was simply to execute each shot as best as I can and thankfully I did that, and my short game as a whole was amazing
Filipino-American Brianna Navarrosa put together the best performance of her 2021 freshman season, using a pair of 68s to bookend a 70 en route to a 10-under 206 for second place at the Fresno State Classic that wrapped Tuesday at the Copper River C.C., California.
Navarrosa, the 18-year-old daughter of former Philippine tennis champion Ringo, led a trio of golfers playing as individuals in the event, the last tournament on University of Southern California's schedule before the Pac-12 Championships start 23 April.
Joining the mix in Fresno was junior Katherine Muzi and freshman Christine Wang, who joined Navarrosa with strong efforts, tying for 16th and 31st, respectively, in the 84-woman field.
Navarrosa, who has started four times this season including in two team wins, thrived on Copper River's back nine, going a combined 12-under on the back half of the course.
That included four birdies in Monday's first round, four against a bogey in Monday's second round and five more birdies today. She birdied 15 and 16 each day and 12 twice.
The finish marked her third top 11 this season that includes an eighth at the season-opening Lamkin San Diego Invitational and a tie for 11th at the Sun Devil Winter Classic.
"My goal this week was simply to execute each shot as best as I can and thankfully Ii did that, and my short game as a whole was amazing," Navarrosa said. "I didn't really know where I stood but i knew the back 9 was where i can really go low, and all i did was put myself in spots i know i can get it close."
Navarrosa might have earned her first medalist honor save for a mighty effort by Stanford's Rachel Heck, who won at 16-under 200 (69-68-63).
Muzi posted her second top 16 this year at 3-over 219 (72-74-73) while Wang tied for 31st at 8-over 224 (75-75-74), the pair mirroring Navarrosa with late birdies on 15 and 16 today.