TULSA, Oklahoma (May 23, 2014) -- Led by standout Celine Boutier, the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils outlasted defending champion USC down the stretch for a two-stroke victory at the 2014 NCAA Women's National Championship.
Duke posted a 6-under 274 on Friday at Tulsa CC, but needed nearly all of its six-shot overnight lead, as USC had the round of the day with a 10-under 270. The Trojans' round was a school record by two strokes.
USC has led a hard-luck life the past five years at the NCAAs, with this being its third runner-up finish by a total of four shots.
UCLA finished a distant third, while Oklahoma and Arizona State rounded out the top 5.
USC made its run behind individual champion Doris Chen, who fired a 3-under 67 to clear Boutier by two shots. It is the Trojans' second consecutive individual winner after Annie Park won in 2013.
Duke only had three players in the top 30 on the individual side, with Sandy Choi at T-23 and Laetitia Beck at T-28.
ABOUT THE NCAA Division I Women's Championship
30 teams and 6 individuals not on a qualifying
team make up the field for the championship of
NCAA
Division I women's golf.
After 72 holes of stroke play, the individual
champion is crowned, and the low 8 teams advance
to
match play to determine the team champion.
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