Mehaffey shoots record 10-under 62 at Symetra Tour venue ahead of debut there this week
Olivia Mehaffey watches her second shot on the first hole during the first round at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open at Champions Golf Club (Jackrabbit Course) in Houston, Texas on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020. (Chris Keane/USGA)
Olivia Mehaffey picked a good time to hit top form by shooting a record 10-under par 62 for the Arizona State University women’s team ahead of her Symetra Tour debut at the same venue this week.
The Banbridge star helped the Sun Devil’s record a tournament-best 277 to come back from six strokes down after the second round to win the Clover Cup by three strokes from Arizona, finishing second to teammate Linn Grant on eight-under at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa, Arizona.
ASU shot 16-under 848 (288-283-277) to top second-round leader Arizona (281-284-286=851), with Mehaffey's historic round sparking the late charge.
After shooting 75-71 in her first two rounds, Mehaffey put some recent poor form behind her when she made 10 birdies in a 10-under 62.
Not only did she break the programme record for ASU, but she also beat it by two strokes, with 64's previously carded by Monica Vaughn at the 2017 PING/ASU Invitational and Louise Stahle at the 2005 Wildcat Invitational.
"It feels incredible, it's very special to be part of this amazing programme," Mehaffey told the Sun Devils’ website. "Part of the reason I came to ASU was because of our legacy so to break a record is a cool thing to do with so many incredible alumni."
She found herself tied with her teammate for the overall lead as Grant headed to 18, with Mehaffey looking on greenside Grant calmly sunk a short birdie putt after a perfect set up with a chip, claiming the tournament title.
Mehaffey, who was one of the first to embrace her following the round, will join Ashley Menne and return to Longbow Golf Club this week for the Symetra Tour’s Carlisle Open.
Both received sponsor's invites to compete in the professional event, testing their skills for at least another 54 holes.
"Olivia's 62 is a program record and she has been working so hard," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked. "To see her break through like that today was such a joy."
Two-over for The Match in the Desert, Mehaffey shot rounds of 83, 77 and 78 to tie for 28th in the Bruin Wave Invitational before finishing tied 37th in the Sun Devil Winter Classic after rounds of 78, 77 and 74.
After opening with rounds of 75 and 71, she was 39 over par for her previous 10 outings before going on the rampage in the final round.
"I haven't felt I have been able to contribute as much as I would have liked to this team," Mehaffey said. "So to help the team sneak a win today is great. Very happy we managed to get it done today.
"It’s a great team, very talented and impressive. Everyone is very supportive and encouraging. That definitely makes the journey very enjoyable."
