GEMMA FINISHES CLOSE THIRD ON USA 2015 DEBUT

Curtis Cup Scot Gemma Dryburgh finished a close-up third in a strong field of 96 players at her first US college tournament of the year, the University of Central Florida Challenge over 54 holes at Eagle Creek Golf Club, Orlando.

Gemma, pictured in action during the tournament, finished a shot behind the joint winners with an eight-under-par aggregate of 208 over the par-72 course. Her scores of 71, 66 and 71 tied the Tulane University women's golf programme's lowest ever individual total. It also equalled the Aberdonian's lowest-ever 54-hole score.
 Her father John reports:
 "Gemma lost out on a third win in the States by one shot. Unfortunately, on the par 5 18th in the final round,  she tried to lay up to 100 yards with a three-wood second shot but it  took a hard bounce into a water hazard and she finished with a bogey, while her playing partners, Jennifer Hahn (Vanderbilt) and Lauren Diaz-Yi (Virgina)  both parred to share first place on 207.

"But the benefits of being able to practise and play full time continue to be beneficial to Gemma.
"Tulane team-mate Silva Garces equalled the school 18-hole record of 65 and the Tulane team shot 17-under in round 2.  They finished in second behind Virginia."

 Gemma Dryburgh, holding the runners-up trophy, and the Tulane University team.