Montana State University
Big Sky 54 For IX
Weidig Wins Individual Title, Bobcats Finish Third After Record-Breaking Weekend at Big Sky '54 for IX' Tournament
9/26/2023 3:45:00 PM | Women's Golf
Scarlet Weidig shoots a program-record 207 to lead MSU to program-record 869 and a third-place result in crucial fall tournament
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah – Scarlet Weidig tallied three birdies over the final six holes to wrestle back control of the leaderboard and win the Big Sky '54 for IX' Tournament individual title on Tuesday, breaking the program record for low 54-hole tournament score in the process.
Weidig's victory, the fourth tournament win of her career, came after a 1-under 71 in Tuesday's final round at TalonsCove Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, Utah, her third straight round under par at the premier event of the Bobcats' fall calendar featuring every Big Sky program.
The native of Belen Heredia, Costa Rica, shot 67-69-71 to finish 9-under par for the tournament with a 207, breaking her own record for 54-hole low score that was set at the GCU Invitational in February last season (208).
"I was able to stay very consistent, because I never gave myself the opportunity to become score-oriented," Weidig said. "Every shot I hit—easy, hard, uncomfortable—it was always with the focus of 'this is what I was going to do'. Even if I had a bad shot, I was never able to think back on that bad feeling, and just kept a very consistent mental routine."
Montana State finished third out of 14 teams with a 5-over par 869 (276-295-298), placing behind only tournament champion Sacramento State (-17, 847) and Northern Arizona (-3, 861).
The Bobcats' 54-hole mark of 869 sets the program record for low team tournament score, shattering the previous mark of 882 that was set at the GCU Invitational in February.
At the forefront was Weidig, who led by a stroke at the end of the first two rounds and battled throughout Tuesday to try to maintain her advantage.
Tied with Northern Arizona's Amy Hodgkins and Southern Utah's Natcharee Thanchitnithanya at 8-under par with four holes to play, Weidig birdied the 15th and 16th holes and powered ahead for the tournament win.
"I knew coming into hole 13, that this was the stretch of holes that I was super comfortable with and could get birdies on," Weidig said. "I knew it was important for me to get a good tee shot, because in the past there have been holes that I can get birdies on, but I maybe hit a bad tee shot and don't set myself up potentially as well as I could. When I did get a good tee shot, then it just came down to how I was going to approach my next shot. At the end of the day, it's the last round, I was down by two, so I just needed to go for it. Otherwise, what's the point?"
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— Montana State Golf (@MSUBobcatsGolf) September 26, 2023
The Bobcats opened up the tournament with a record-breaking round 276 on Monday morning, sitting at 12-under par following the first 18 holes. However, fatigue in the second round and a third round that featured some tough sledding allowed the defending Big Sky champion Hornets to surge in front.
"This puts us in another position for experience," head coach Brittany Basye said. "We just need to learn from it. We have a young team, we couldn't get it going today, but the important thing is to learn. Although we broke some records and that's awesome, we have to keep grinding and working. To win is hard, kudos to Scarlet cause she put herself in position to win and then she finished it. If we keep momentum from this, and keep learning, we'll be in a good spot. Overall a great tournament."
Maddie Montoya finished tied for 12th on the individual leaderboard, shooting a 2-over 74 to finish 1-under par for the week (70-71-74).
Lauren Greeny (69-78-76) finished t-37th and Eva Heinz (70-77-77) finished t-42nd to round out the top-four for the Bobcats.
Four golfers finished below par for MSU in the opening round, a program-record, with Weidig (67), Greeny (69), Heinz (70), and Montoya (70) all turning in stellar scorecards.
"Maddie and Scarlet had a great tournament," Basye said. "They played hard. We leave Saturday [for the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invite] so we will work on some specific things coach Joey Lovell and I saw and hope to be ready for Seattle."
Up Next
Montana State will have a quick turnaround, flying to the Emerald City this weekend for the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invite, hosted by Seattle University at Tacoma Country Club in Tacoma, Washington. The tournament gets underway on Monday, October 2, and continues through Tuesday, October 3.
#GoCatsGo
