Kirsty O'Connor makes top 20 at Rio Verde

Former Welsh women's amateur champion Kirsty O'Connor (Ball State University, Indiana) finished joint 15th in a field of 96 players for the Rio Verde Invitational women's college tournament over the Quail Run course (par71, 6229yd) at Rio Verde Golf Club, Arizona.

Kirsty, pictured right, who comes from Burnley, Lancashire, had rounds of 77, 77 and 75 for a total of 229 - 20 shots behind the winner, Ashley Bauer (Michant who had rounds of 68, 68 and 73 for a runaway, nine-stroke victory.

Michigan (881) won the team event ahead of Minnesota (895) and Eastern Michigan (904). Ball State (922) finished sixth of 18 teams.