Hoosiers capture Shootout title

The IU women's golf team headed to Boerne, Texas, during spring break to compete in the Tapatio Springs Shootout, hosted by Baylor University. The 19-team field included four teams in the Golfweek Top 50, including the No. 46 Hoosiers. \nIn Friday's first round, the Hoosiers fired a nine-over-par 297 -- their second lowest round of the year -- and a new team low at the Shootout. The team was in second place, only one stroke behind Texas Tech.\nSeniors Danah Ford and Karen Dennison continued their strong play, shooting 72 and 73 respectively. Ford's even-par round set a new IU individual record for the tournament. Sophomore Molly Redfearn also fared well, shooting a three-over-par 74.\nThe Hoosiers went even lower during Saturday's second round. The Hoosiers bettered their first round total by three strokes, finishing at 294. The only sub-300 round of the day vaulted the Hoosiers into the lead by ten strokes over Texas Tech, who finished Saturday's round at 305. \nFord took the overall lead with a round of two-under-par 70, the low round of the entire tournament. Her 36-hole total of 142 was a new personal best, and her second round 70 tied her career low round and beat the school tournament low she set Friday.\nDennison and Redfearn remained in contention with solid rounds on Saturday. \nDennison sat alone in third place at 145 after a second round 72, and Redfearn moved into fifth place at 149 after carding a 75 Saturday. \nSunday's final round saw the Hoosiers in front all day as they cruised to a 13-stroke victory after shooting a 305 for a three-round total of 896. Missouri finished in second at 909 (306-300-303), and the first round leader Texas Tech finished in third at 910 (296-305-309). The victory marks the first for the Hoosiers this year, and their first victory since the 2003 Lady Seahawk Invitational.\nFord, however, could not maintain her lead, and a final round 77 dropped her into third place at 219, two strokes behind medalist Malinda Johnson of Wisconsin. Dennison moved up one spot into second place after a one-over 73 Sunday, one stroke off the pace. Redfearn rounded out the top six with a round of 76 Sunday.\nThis marks the first time the Hoosiers have placed three women in the top six since last year's Mission Inn Classic, where Dennison, former IU golfer Cara Stuckey, and Ford finished in the top three en route to victory. \nJunior Bethany Brunner participated in the tournament as an individual, and showed a resurgence in her game with a 12th place finish at 231 (78-78-75). \nSenior Ambry Bishop and sophomore Mary Lidester rounded out the team scores with identical totals of 239, good enough for 45th place. \nThe Hoosiers will return to the links in search of their second victory of the year as they host the Indiana Invitational April 3-4, at the IU Golf Course.