Kjellker Captures Medalist Honors at MW Championship

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- Sara Kjellker defeated New Mexico's Lauren Lehigh on a third playoff hole to capture medalist honors and lead the San Diego State women's golf team at the MW Championship Wednesday on the par-72, 6,270-yard Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the Mission Hills Country Club. It was the third time in the last four MW championships that an Aztec has taken home the individual crown (also Fernanda Escauriza in 2017 and Mila Chavez in 2018).
 
Kjellker and Lehigh went to a playoff after each finished the three rounds at 1-over-par 217. Each player recorded pars on the par-5, 485-yard 18th and the par-4, 375-yard 10th. Kjellker, who tied for the most pars in regulation (41), sank a par putt on the par-3, 145-yard 17th, while Lehigh took a bogey to give the individual crown to Kjellker. It was the first individual title for Kjellker, who had a pair of runner-up finishes this season.
 
Kjellker carded a 3-over 75 today following a 69 and 73 in Tuesday's first two rounds. Kjellker birdied the par-5, 482-yard second hole to get to 3-under for the tournament. The senior, however, had three bogeys until a birdie on the par-4, 370-yard 13th got her back to red numbers. She slipped with back-to-back bogeys on the par-3, 148-yard 14th and the par-4, 351-yard 15th before ending with three straight pars to force a playoff after Lehigh bogeyed No. 17. Kjellker also ranked in a tie for second in scoring average on both par 3s (3.08) and par 5s (4.67).
 
As a team, San Diego State couldn't overcome a hard-charging New Mexico on the final day, settling for second at 23-over 887, four shots behind the Lobos (19-over 883). The Aztecs, who are No. 47 in the latest Golfstat rankings, had an 11-shot advantage heading into the final round but collectively shot a 17-over 305 today, getting passed by UNM's 2-over 290. SDSU, which won the last MW Championship in 2019, now has six runner-up finishes in the tournament, including four of the past five. No. 46 New Mexico (+19) and San Diego State (+23) were followed by San José State (+34), Fresno State (+38), Nevada (+44), UNLV (+50), Colorado State (+53), Boise State (+60) and Wyoming (+64).
 
Andrea Gomez was the next Aztec finisher, tying for fourth as a freshman at 4-over 220 following a 3-over 75 today. Gomez was 4-over through her first 12 holes in today's final round but rebounded with five consecutive pars and a birdie on No. 18 to sign for the 75.
 
Bernice Olivarez Ilas, meanwhile, shot a 2-over 74 Wednesday to finish in solo 12th overall at 8-over 224. Ilas recorded three birdies today, including the par-4, 346-yard sixth, par-5, 501-yard ninth and No. 18, to offset five bogeys.
 
Ranches tied for 13th overall at 10-over 81, carding a 9-over 81 today after shooting a 71 and 74 yesterday. Ranches as unable to convert a birdie today, instead settling for five bogeys and two double bogeys.
 
Anna Lina Otten also was in SDSU's starting lineup this week, taking 43rd at 32-over 248. Otten didn't have a birdie in today's final round (12-over 84), posting nine bogeys and a triple bogey on No. 14.
 
San Diego State now awaits a possible bid to the NCAA Regionals, which will be announced on Wednesday, April 28. The regionals will take place at courses in Baton Rouge, La.; Columbus, Ohio; Louisville, Ky.; and Stanford, Calif.
 
Mountain West Championship
Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Day Two Results
Dinah Shore Tournament Course at the Mission Hills Country Club
Par 72, 6,270 yards
 
Team Standings (Top 5 of 9 teams)
1. No. 46 New Mexico…300-293-290—883 (+19)
2. No. 47 San Diego State…284-298-305—887 (+23)
3. San José State…300-302-296—898 (+34)
4. Fresno State…297-276-309—902 (+38)
5. Nevada…301-301-306—908 (+44)
 
Individual Leaders (Top 5 of 45 players + SDSU)
T1. *Sara Kjellker (San Diego State)…69-73-75—217 (+1)
T1. Lauren Lehigh (New Mexico)…73-72-72—217 (+1)
3. Victoria Gailey (Nevada)…73-71-75—219 (+3)
T4. Andrea Gomez (San Diego State)…73-72-75—220 (+4)
T4. Napat Lertsadwattana (New Mexico)…76-72-72—220 (+4)
T4. Myah McDonald (New Mexico)…73-72-75—220 (+4)
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12. Bernice Olivarez Ilas (San Diego State)…71-79-74—224 (+8)
T13. April Ranches (San Diego State)…71-74-81—226 (+10)
43. Anna Lina Otten (San Diego State)…82-82-84—248 (+32)
* won on third hole of playoff