Uriell leads Razorbacks in third win of fall

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Senior Alana Uriell posted back-to-back rounds of 68 leading the top-ranked University of Arkansas women’s golf team to victory at the Maryb S. Kauth Alamo Invitational in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday.

Uriell, who is the defending champion at the event, finished tied for second overall with an 8-under 208 (72–68–68). She was just one shot behind the leader and one of three Razorbacks in the top 10 at day’s end. Uriell opened play tied for ninth, moved up to a tie for seventh after round two and shot up to a runner-up finish on Tuesday.

The team played to an 18-stroke win picking up its third team title in four events this fall. The Razorbacks posted a three-round 842, shooting 281–273–288 at the Briggs Ranch Golf Club. The team total is the third-best score in tournament history.

Junior transfer Dylan Kim had her third top-5 finish, finishing fifth overall with a 5-under 211 (69–70–72). Junior Maria Fassi finished tied for sixth with a 4-under 212 (69–70–73), followed by a tie for 17th place by junior Cara Gorlei shooting 219 (71–67–81). Junior Kaylee Benton stepped up in her final two rounds to finish 21st at 220 (77–68–75) tying Razorback freshman Maria Hoyos (80–70–70), who played as an individual.

Inside the Ropes
• It is the third win in four fall events.
• It is the third time in program history the Razorbacks have won three tournaments (2013-14, 2010-11).
• The tie for second place is Alana Uriell’s third top-5 finish this year.
• It is also the third top-5 finish for junior Dylan Kim in her first year with the Razorbacks.
• Arkansas’ team total of 842 ranks as the third-lowest in tournament history behind an 840 by Oklahoma in 2013 and an 841 from LSU in 2014.
• As a program, Arkansas has 22 team titles and 110 top-5 finishes.

From Shauna Taylor
“I’m really proud of our group. It was a tough golf course today with the wind blowing, but we persevered. I told the team that teamwork helps us accomplish our goals and every single person this week contributed to this victory. It says a lot about this group of young ladies and their fight. It is the best fall we’ve had since I’ve been at Arkansas and we are heading in the right direction. I also know that we have things we can tidy up to keep improving.

“It was really great golf today by Alana (Uriell). A 4-under par in this wind was extremely impressive. The rest of the group had to fight their tails off all day. Dylan (Kim) did a great job, I know she didn’t finish the way she wanted to, but she was very solid all day long.

“Maria (Hoyos) – one of my goals was to provide an opportunity for learning and getting experience that you can’t create at home. I’m really proud of her last two rounds. I’m excited about Maria and her progress.

“I’m grateful for this group and I told them ‘we is always greater than me’ and we showed that this week.”

Arkansas Lineup

The Field