Wake Forest University
NCAA Tallahassee Regional
Kupcho Leads the Deacs to NCAA Championship Berth
5/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeWGolf)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Wake Forest women's golf team clinched a berth in the 2018 NCAA Women's Golf Championship with a dramatic final day of play at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. The Demon Deacons made up 10 shots on Clemson during the third round at the Don Veller Seminole Golf Course to tie for the sixth and final qualifying place before downing the Tigers in a playoff.
The Demon Deacons will make their 15th all-time appearance at the NCAA Championship, which will be held May 18-23 at Karsten Creek Golf Course in Stillwater, Okla.
Leading the Demon Deacons to the NCAA Championship berth was All-American Jennifer Kupcho, who was the tournament medalist at 15-under, posting her second consecutive NCAA Regional victory. She also made the clinching putt to win the team playoff.
"I am just so proud of our students because they played so well today," said head coach Dianne Dailey. "At one point, we were at 10-under par as a team, but gave a few back to finish at 5-under. We were given a second chance and took advantage of it. They were clutch in the playoff and it was a total team effort. Everyone played a part in our team advancing. That is how we won at the Bryan and how we were successful today."
Entering the day in seventh place, Wake Forest shot 3-under during the final round to finish tied with Clemson for sixth place at 5-under. In the one-hole playoff, where all five players play and the top four scores count, the Deacs started strong as Siyun Liu, Mai Dechathipat and Monica Schumacher all had a par, while the Tigers had a pair of bogeys. In the second group, Emilia Migliaccio had a par to set up Kupcho's chance to win the playoff for the Deacs with a birdie, which she made.
"This a huge accomplishment for this team," said Dailey. "We have four players who get to experience the NCAA Championship for the first time. It has been three years since we have advanced from the regional, so this is great for our program."
Kupcho shot a final round 67, to finish the tournament at 15-under, tying her school 54-hole scoring record. She also shot a 15-under 201 to win the 2016 Lady Tar Heel Invitational. After winning the NCAA Regional last year in Athens, Ga., she joins Maria Jose Uribe of UCLA (2008 and 2009) as the only players to win a regional in consecutive years. Overall, it is Kupcho;'s sixth career individual victory.
"I was just fighting for the team and knew the team needed every single one of my strokes," said Kupcho. "I think that's what was pushing me. It is so exciting to have the team qualify. My freshman and sophomore years I went by myself, so I really wanted the team to be with me and I'm glad to make the last putt."
Migliaccio carded a final round 70 to finish the tournament at 3-under. Liu and Dechathipat both shot a final round 74 to round out the scoring four for the Demon Deacons.
Alabama won the regional at 33-under. They are joined by Florida State, Furman, Arizona, Washington and the Demon Deacons as the six teams advancing to the NCAA Championships from the Tallahassee Regional.
Players Mentioned
