Sinead O'Sullivan from Galway - second win on US women's college golf circuit

Sinead O'Sullivan ties for victory

at Kiawah Island Intercollegiate

Irish international player Sinead O'Sullivan from Galway, a junior (third-year) student at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, has scored her second victory on the American women's college golf circuit.
She tied for first place with Nicole Forshner (Central Arkansas) at the head of a massive field - 215 players - in the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate over the Cougar Point and Oak Point courses.
There was no play-off after Sinead and Nicole both hit the two-over-par mark of 218. Both players score 74, 73 and 71.
Sinead three-putted the very last hole for a bogey in her final round when a par would have given her outright victory to add to the Lady Jaguar Invitational title she won in the 2007-2008 US college season.
Earlier she had birdied the ninth and 11th. Her bogey at the 18th was the only blemish on her closing card. Forshner's birdie at the 16th had enabled her to close the gap to one shot.
Born on January 30, 1986, Sinead was a member of the Ireland team who retained the women's home internationals' title at Royal Porthcawl in 2004.
"I knew I was playing well and for some reason I had winning in my sights (when I came here)," said Sinead. Playing solid each day, each hole was my goal and with the exception of that three putts a tthe last hole, I was able to do what I wanted.
"We're really happy as a team right now and are proud of what we've accomplished this week."
Stefanie Shelton, the East Tennessee State University women's golf head coach, said: "Sinead was just fantastic and for her to beat a field with so many quality players is quite impressive."
East Tennessee State (908) finished third behind Miami and Central Arkansas who both totalled 904 in a huge field of 43 teams.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 216 (3 x 72)
218 Sinead O'Sullivan (East Tennessee State) 74 73 71, Nicole Forshner (Central Arkansas) 74 73 71.
220 Sara Grantham (Mississippi) 74 76 70, Steffi Kirchmayr (College of Charleston) 73 76 71, Jessica Yadloczky (Florida) 73 73 74.
Selected scores:
230 Olivia Jordan-Higgins (Charleston Southern) 80 73 77 (jt 37th).
231 Gemma Hardie (Central Arkansas) 78 77 78 (jt 43rd).
233 Laura Cutler (Jacksonville State) 77 76 80 (jt 57th).
235 Lucy Gould (East Tennessee State) 76 82 77 (jt 66th).

238 Clara Leathers (Middle Tennessee State) 78 83 77 (jt 87th).

240 Kirsty O'Connor (Ball State) 75 82 83.

Field of 215 players.

LEADING TEAM TOTALS

904 Miami, Central Arkansas.

908 East Tennessee State.

912 Florida.

913 Mississippi.

915 College of Charleston.

Field of 43 teams.