Clemson, S.C.—Freshman Ivy Shepherd fired a four-under par 68 on Sunday to lead Clemson to a 294 team score and a seventh place finish at Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invite at the UNC Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill, N.C. Shepherd’s 68 on Sunday was the best score in the field of 96 golfers across the nation.
Clemson finished with a 22-over par team score of 886 for the 54 holes on the par 72 course. Duke won the event with a 14-under par 850, while Virginia finished in second at 856. Arkansas finished three strokes behind the Cavaliers at 859 and South Carolina finished fourth with an 866. Wake Forest finished fifth at 868, while Vanderbilt shot a 877, finishing sixth.
Shepherd’s four-under par 68 on Sunday was one of 11 scores at or better in the 288 rounds that accord over the three days.
Shepherd, who was Clemson’s No. 5 player entering the tournament, had rounds of 76-70-68 to finish at 214 for the 54 holes, good for an 11th-place finish in the field of 96 golfers. The 68 by the native of Peachtree City, Ga., was the best round in the field for the final round, and was the only player in the field without a bogey as she had four birdies and 14 pars.
Ana Paula Valdes moved up three spots, finishing tied for 29th after a final round of 74. The junior was two over through her first five holes and played the remaining 13 even. Lindsay May finished with a 223 after a final round 76 after leading the team in the opening round with a 74.
Alice Hewson had a four-over par 76 in the final round on Sunday and finished tied for 62nd with a 228, while Alexandra Swayne finished with a 54 hole score of 236.
Clemson returns to the course on November 2 at the Battle at the Beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.