After opening the fall season with three straight victories, the women's golf team slipped to second place Sunday at the Rolex/Golf World Palmetto Dunes Collegiate Invitational.
An experienced Auburn squad posted a final round 291 to beat a talented but young Duke team by five strokes, ending their run at a perfect fall at Hilton Head, S.C.
"They are pretty seasoned, they know how to handle this stuff," coach Dan Brooks said of Auburn's win. "They know we haven't won this tournament in the past. Everyone was pretty fired up to try and win it."
The Blue Devils lived up to their top ranking early on, shooting an impressive four-under 288 on Friday in taking a seven stroke lead over the strongest field they will face this fall. Duke struggled over the weekend with no player breaking par, and freshman star Virada Nirapathpongporn posting a disappointing 76 on Sunday.
Brooks remained upbeat about the tournament, though, emphasizing the team's impressive performance in the first round.
"We got off to a good start [Friday] at four-under," said Brooks of his teams up and down performance. "I'm not really sure why we went high [Saturday], it might have been a bit of a coincidence, it might have been little expectations after coming off a hot round."
Youth may have been the biggest factor for a team containing two sophomores and two freshmen. Duke also misses the play of Beth Bauer, an All-American last year who chose in August to forego her junior season to turn professional. The Blue Devils may have been able to use Bauer's experience on Sunday, as Brooks noted how Auburn's confidence began to show late in the tournament. Nonetheless, the coach was able to look at the positive aspect.
"The team that beat us is an east team and we're interested in the [region] being stronger," Brooks said. "It's nice to see an east team rising up and beating everyone."
One bright spot for the Blue Devils was the play of sophomore Maria Garcia-Estrada, who opened with a 70, and finished tied for 13th at 219.
"Maria really put together heck of a tournament," said Brooks. "She is playing well, she seems to be thinking well and is really focused."
Duke's lone veteran, junior Candy Hannemann also played well, leading the Blue Devils with a ninth- place finish at 217 after also posting a first round 70.
"I thought she really played some great golf," said Brooks. "Her 70 was actually the third [consecutive] 70, she shot two of those at home before she left."
Hanneman, despite struggling on Sunday, displayed the type of mental stability Duke may need if it expects to capture its second national championship in three years this spring.
"She kept her composure, [but] didn't strike the ball as well the last day," said Brooks. "I thought her 74 on the last day was because she wasn't striking the ball well."
Brooks emphasized that the Blue Devils' second place finish should not come as a huge surprise, despite the Duke's dominating performances over their first three tournaments this fall.
"I think it's important for [the players] to know that there is talent on these other teams," said Brooks. "We found that out late in the season last year and I think we're going to be a lot more aware of that now."
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