Tavatanakit Leads UCLA to Pac-12 Repeat

SEATTLE, WA (April 24, 2018) - No. 1 UCLA secured its second consecutive Pac-12 Women’s Golf Championship after shooting a 1-under 287 to finish the championship at 4-under (860), followed by No. 6 USC, which shot a 5-over 293, and finished 12 strokes back at 8-over (872). The team title is the seventh all-time for the UCLA program. UCLA freshman Patty Tavatanakit battled her way to victory in an epic playoff against her UCLA teammate, and defending champion Lilia Vu, both of whom finished with a 2-under 70 on the final day. In her first Pac-12 Championship, Tavatanakit was extremely consistent, finishing under par in all three rounds. Tavatanakit is the third freshman in UCLA history to win the Pac-12 Championship. UCLA Head Coach Carrie Forsyth on winning back-to-back championships and watching two of her players in the deciding playoff: “It’s a position that I think any coach would have traded for. It’s kind of bittersweet. I’m so proud of them and they are both champions. It’s a privilege to be a part of that. The team did a great job regrouping after winning the title last year.” UCLA Patty Tavatanakit on winning the Pac-12 Championship as a freshman: “It means the world to me. I had a solid front nine, then ended up struggling a little bit. I hung in there and trusted in myself. I ended up playing off with one of my teammates Lilia Vu. She is my inspiration and she helps motivate me to try and do my best.” Of note, Arizona State’s Raquel Olmos tallied seven birdies on the day helping her tie for the lowest score of the final round.