Up to par

For the second consecutive year, the Texas A&M women's golf team is the Big 12 champion. The winning score was 911 overall strokes at the Big 12 tournament, which was played from Monday to Wednesday in Waco.

After jumping out to an eight-stroke lead on day one, the Aggies fell behind the Oklahoma State Cowgirls by four strokes after a disappointing second day. However, A&M came back with the lowest round of the tournament by any team on Wednesday, 296, to defend its title.

"We just did everything a little better today, after we got used to everything and putted a lot better," said A&M senior Ashley Knoll. "It was déjà-vu from last year, having to come behind like we did. We knew we could do it."

Oklahoma State, which was runner-up to A&M in 2006, finished second in the tournament at 916 and the Baylor Bears finished third with a score 918. During the third day, these three teams separated themselves from the rest of the field.

"We were very pumped up and excited coming into today," Knoll said. "I had three birdies early on, and that got my confidence up quickly."

The three teams shot the three lowest rounds of the final day, with the Cowgirls scoring a 305 and the Lady Bears scoring a 299. In the final overall standings, Baylor finished 18 strokes below the next team, Nebraska, which shot a 936.

Kansas senior Amanda Costner won individual honors, firing a 5 over par for the tournament, including a -1 round on day one. Knoll played a significant roll in the repeat championship for the Aggies, taking second in individual honors, shooting an 8 over par for the tournament and scoring the best individual round of day three, 1 under par.

"Ashley (Knoll) was focused all day long, from the first tee shot to the last putt she holed," said A&M head coach Jeanne Sutherland. "She seemed down and a little out of it yesterday, but there is no better team player than Ashley, and she was into it today."

A&M freshman Danielle McVeigh also made a difference on the last day, scoring a 2 over par round and finishing tied for fourth in individual honors. Under Sutherland, the Aggies have won three Big 12 championships since 1998.

"This is just a great feeling," Sutherland said. "I wouldn't compare it to last year, and if we won again next year, I wouldn't compare it to that. It's a unique feeling."

With the Big 12 title secured, A&M now awaits the selections for the NCAA championships. The matchups will be announced on April 30.

Big 12 Women's Golf Championship Final Standings

1. Texas A&M 300-315-296 -- 911 (+47) 2. Oklahoma State 308-303-305 -- 916 (+52) 3. Baylor 308-311-299 -- 918 (+54) 4. Nebraska 312-307-317 -- 936 (+72) 5. Oklahoma 315-314-308 -- 937 (+73) 6. Colorado 308-324-307 -- 939 (+75) 7. Kansas State 309-321-310 -- 940 (+76) 8. Missouri 316-317-308 -- 941 (+77)

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