The 13th-ranked Demon Deacons shot a 54-hole total of 17-under 847 to earn a 10-stroke victory over Clemson, claiming their second team title of the season following their win at the Bryan National Collegiate in September.
Kuehn took a three-shot lead into Sunday's final round after carding a bogey-free, 9-under 63 on Saturday, which was the lowest 18-hole score in program history, besting current LPGA member Jennifer Kupcho's 64 from the 2018 NCAA Regional. She then extended her lead by making eagles on both of the par-5's on her outward nine to turn in 34.
However, a double bogey on 11 and a bogey on 12 opened the door for Shepherd. The Duke junior got off to a hot start by draining a 27-foot birdie on her opening hole, the 392-yard, par-4 fourth, and then went to 2-under with a 20-foot birdie on No. 7. Shepherd made a 12-foot birdie putt on No. 10 to move to 3-under, but missed the fairway on No. 11 and suffered her lone bogey of the day.Add it to the college trophy case for Rachel 🏆🏆🏆#GoDeacs 🎩⛳️ pic.twitter.com/OiWaGAwJcu
— Wake Women's Golf (@WakeWGolf) October 17, 2021
The two golfers were tied at 10-under until Kuehn rolled in a birdie putt on 17 to take a one-stroke lead and a par on the 18th sealed her third career victory.
"What an exciting weekend! It was great to see Rachel make history and for the team to perform and win with such outstanding competition," said Wake Forest head coach Kim Lewellen. "This is a fantastic team that works hard and it's great to see their hard work pay off for them. We are looking forward to what's ahead for this group."
U.S. Women's Amateur champion Jensen Castle of Kentucky finished 13th at 4-under 212 on rounds of 73-69-70.
Wake Forest and Duke Athletic Communications contributed to this report.
