DU’s Daffinrud Finishes in Top 10 at NCAA Championship

Ethan Kaufman

TULSA, Okla., – No. 14 ranked senior Tonje Daffinrud of the University of Denver women’s golf team completed four rounds of National Championship action on Friday from the par 70, 6,194-yard Tulsa Country Club. She finished with the lowest four-round total in Pioneer history at 283, good for a share of 10th place at five-over par.

Carding the only rounds in the 60s ever by a Pioneer at Nationals, Daffinrud tallied a two-under par in the final round. She turned in a scorecard that read 67-74-74-68 totaling 283, good for the lowest total score in both men’s and women’s program history. She defeated eight of the top-10 nationally ranked players.

“I couldn’t be happier or more proud of Tonje this week,” said head coach Lindsay Kuhle. “She was very focused and driven to end her college career on a great note this week. She played extremely well today and was very consistent. When she was in trouble she would punch out and make par or birdie. She putted so well today and was determined to finish under-par.”

Daffinrud was nearly flawless on in the final round tallying four brides and just two bogeys. She finished with 12 birdies for the tournament and had just one double-bogey. Southern California’s Doris Chen claimed the National title with a six-under par tournament total, while Duke’s Celine Boutier finished two-strokes back. Duke claimed the team national title with a combined 10-over par total, while Southern California is the title runner-up.

Completing one of the best seasons in program history, Daffinrud finished among the top-10 individual leaderboards in eight-of-10 tournament’s, had six top-five finishes, recorded the lowest scoring average in history (72.44), claimed The Summit League Conference Title, and capped her career with her first ever appearance at the NCAA Championship.

“I would like to thank Tonje for believing in Denver women’s golf and representing our university with great class during her four years,” said Kuhle. “She has raised the bar for our program in excellence as a golfer and athlete and I can't thank her enough for her hard work, dedication to the program, and pride she had for DU all four years. We will truly miss her and wish her the best of luck as a professional golfer in the future.”

DAFFINRUD SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Summit League Tournament Title
• Tournament Title Runner-Up at The Tulane Allstate Sugar Bowl
• Six top-five tournament finishes
• Eight Top-12 finishes
• A 90.4 finish percentage, best in Pioneer history
• Lowest season scoring average in Pioneer history, 72.44
• Captured Hole-in-One twice at Schooner Fall Classic and Tulane Allstate Sugarbowl
• Lowest round of season seven-under par 65 (The Schooner Fall Classic 10/07/13)
• Beat the No. 1 ranked golfer in the nation at the Tulane Allstate Sugar Bowl
• Defeated the No. 3 ranked golfer in the nation in match play event at Liz Murphey Intercollegiate