Mocs Golfer Megan Woods Wins SoCon Individual Title After 5-Hole Playoff

POOLER, Ga.—(GoMocs.com) Sophomore Megan Woods won a five-hole playoff over co-Southern Conference Player of the Year Alice Chen (Furman) for the Southern Conference Championship. Woods’ 2-over 218 ties for her career best in claiming the win.

She played -1 through the five holes with both players birdieing the par 3 fourth hole. Chen rolled in a 10’ effort ahead of Woods’ own from three feet. They matched shot for shot throughout.

The duo laid three from 85-90 yards out on the par 5 fifth. Woods hit to 15 feet pin high left. Chen just rolled over the back. Her birdie roll was four feet short.

Woods’ own birdie try missed by about three feet. Chen missed for par, Woods did not.

“It’s a great feeling,” Woods shared. “I came into the tournament hoping that would be the case, and it’s awesome to walk away with this. Especially after a five-hole playoff.

“Alice is a great player, I feel like every shot was equal. She made a great putt on four. It really just feels great to get the win.”

The team finished second to Furman who repeated as champs. The Paladins shot 875 for the three rounds with the Mocs at 889. ETSU was third with an 897.

It was a three-stroke advantage entering the 36-hole day for Furman. It was just a one-shot deficit at the midpoint of the second round. The Paladins played 6-under over their final seven-to-10 holes to extend it to nine before pulling away for the win.

“Disappointed we were not able to win as a team,” coach Colette Murray said when asked about the team’s week. “Statistically, they were 15 shots better than us and we lost by 14. We needed to come out and shoot certain numbers, and for the most part, we did our bit.

“In the end, it wasn’t enough.”

Emily McLennan shared SoCon Player of the Year honors with Chen. She finished tied for fifth at +5, 221. It’s the fourth straight top 5 finish for her in the event.

Cris Perez posted her third top 10 of 2015-16 tying for 10th at 225. Monica San Juan was 19th (234), while Isabella Loza tied for 27th (241).