By JAMES BROWN
WCLU Sports
Former Glasgow golfer Abbie Lee closed the Conference USA Championship tied for fifth as an individual, while WKU captured the team title. Former Lady Scottie Nina McMurtrey served as an alternate for the Lady Toppers.
For the first time in the 48-year history of the program, WKU women’s golf won the conference title, defeating Jacksonville State by seven strokes. The Lady Tops began the day six shots back of the Gamecocks, but fired an even-par 288 to win convincingly in the end.
“What an incredible day for our program! I was so impressed with how each of the girls stayed focused on every shot and came out on top for our first-ever conference title,” said WKU women’s golf head coach Adam Gary. “Congratulations to Sydney, too, on winning the conference championship! She was four shots back to start the day, but her calm and focused demeanor shined through with every shot. She was steady and played great, making big shots when she needed to. I am incredibly proud of our team and can’t wait to see where we head for Regionals.”
WKU will head to NCAA Regional, May 5-7, at a location to be announced. The NCAA Selection Show is next Wednesday (April 23) at noon on GOLF Channel.
Abbie Lee is pictured competing in a golf tournament for Middle Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of MTSU Athletics)
Individually, junior Sydney Hackett claimed the Conference USA individual title, becoming WKU’s second conference champion of all-time (Catie Craig, 2023). Hackett began the day four shots back of the lead, but a 5-under 67 vaulted her into a first-place tie with New Mexico State’s Emma Bunch. On the first playoff hole, Hackett made birdie to win the title.
The win was WKU’s fourth of the season, extending their school record for most wins in a season. The previous record was two wins, done four other times in the 47-year history prior to 2024-25.
TEAM LEADERBOARD (8 teams)
1. Western Kentucky | 291-292-288—871 (+7)
2. Jacksonville State | 287-290-300—877 (+14)
3. Florida International | 288-297-298—883 (+19)
4. Middle Tennessee | 292-298-299—889 (+25)
5. New Mexico State | 290-301-301—892 (+28)
6. Sam Houston | 301-296-300—897 (+33)
T7. UTEP | 300-305-300—905 (+41)
T7. Kennesaw State | 295-308-302—905 (+41)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (40 individuals)
T1. Sydney Hackett | 71-72-67—210 (-6) *won playoff with birdie on first playoff hole*
T1. Emma Bunch, New Mexico State | 69-70-71—210 (-6)
3. Lara El Chaib, Jacsonville State | 69-70-73–212 (-4)
4. Grace Jin, Sam Houston | 71-73-71–215 (-1)
T5. Abbie Lee, Middle Tennessee | 74-69-73– (E)
T5. Catie Craig | 70-73-73—216 (E)
T12. Kaylee Dwyer | 73-75-73—221 (+5)
T20. Julia Zigrossi | 78-72-77—227 (+11)
T24. Averi Cline | 77-77-75—229 (+13)
Information provided by WKU Athletics was used in this story.
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