Lillie Finishes Ninth at NCAA Championships
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Virginia senior women’s golfer Beth Lillie (Fullerton, Calif.) shot 2-under 70 during the final round of the NCAA Championships to move up to a tie for ninth place. Lillie’s 72-hole total of even par 288 ties as the second-best score by a Cavalier at the national championship tournament. Her place finish was the third best by a UVA player at the event.
Ranked No. 54 nationally by Golfstat entering the tournament, Lillie got off to a great start with an eagle on the second hole at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. She used a wedge on her 104-yard approach shot to put her 2-under par early in her round. Lillie then made a birdie on the third hole to drop to 3-under par. From there, Lillie finished her round with two more birdies and three bogeys.
“I’m proud of the way I played this week and happy to get a top-10 finish,” Lillie said. :”It was a such a great experience to come play this championship course in tough conditions against the best field in college golf. Having coaches (Ria) Scott and (Marissa) Dodd and my whole family out supporting me made it a really special and memorable week. I felt like I played some of my best golf all semester these past four days and I can’t wait to take this momentum into next season with the team. Go Hoos!”
During the four-day tournament she only had one score higher than bogey. Lillie’s finish was her best in three appearances at the NCAA Championships. She was 43rd during her sophomore season.
“We could not be prouder of Beth for her play, composure, and how she represented UVA this week,” said head coach Ria Scott. “Each day, she got more comfortable with this golf course and gained belief in her game. She hit some clutch approach shots and showed an unmatched level of maturity. Excited is an understatement we are so glad to have her back next year.”
Lillie will take advantage of being granted an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic to return to Virginia and compete as a graduate student next season.
Stanford freshman Rachel Heck won medalist honors. She finished play at 8-under 280, one shot ahead of UCLA’s Emma Spitz.