April 8, 2009

Blumenherst Claims 12th Career Victory; Duke Finishes Second

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Duke University senior Amanda Blumenherst matched a school record on Tuesday as she registered her 12th career individual victory at the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational. The reigning three-time National Player of the Year carded a 54-hole total of 222 to win by two strokes at the 5,954-yard, par 70 Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, Fla.

A native of Scottsdale, Ariz., Blumenherst equaled Mary Anne Widman's Duke record of 12 wins from 1981-84. Blumenherst entered the final round one stroke off the lead and fought off tough conditions to turn in a 77 on Tuesday to claim the title over Molly Aronsson of Washington and Charlotte Lorentzen of Georgia State (224).

"It was probably one of the windiest conditions I've ever played in," said Blumenherst. "It was absurd, it was so windy."

On a day when she didn't collect any birdies, Blumenherst played the front nine at three-over-par, 38, and then closed with a four-over-par, 39. She notched 13 pars, two double-bogeys and three bogeys, while hitting nine greens, 11 fairways and tapping in 31 putts.