Women's golf wins title in dramatic style

The invitations were handed out and the party on Mill Ave. was about to begin.

Then the Wildcats arrived, badges and flashlights in hand to crash the party.

The No. 2 ranked Arizona women's golf team saved its best for last as it shot the low round of the tournament on the last day. The Wildcats fired a team total 7-under-par 285 on the par-73, 6,004 yard course at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club yesterday to take home their second Pacific 10 Conference Championship in history by an astounding 15 strokes.

Arizona trailed ASU by four shots going in to Wednesday's final round, but capitalized on ASU's poor play by turning in its best all-around performance of the year.

The Wildcats finished the tournament at 9-under-par 867, with the Sun Devils a distant second at 882. No. 11 UCLA jumped another place from fourth to third by shooting a final round 294 to finish at 883. No. 7 Stanford came in fourth at 892 and No. 11 Oregon finished fifth at 901.

Southern Cal, Washington, Oregon State, California and Washington State round out the top 10.

Arizona was led by the quartet of sophomore Marissa Baena, freshman Jenna Daniels, sophomore Krissie Register and junior Heather Graff, all of whom shot par or better in their final rounds.

Baena finished second overall by carding a final-round 70 to finish at 8-under-par 211, four shots behind Pac-10 individual champion Mhairi McKay, who had shot consecutive rounds in the 60s before yesterday's 70.

Daniels followed in Baena's footsteps, firing a 70 as well - her low round of the year - to finish in a tie for fourth place at 2-under-par 217 with teammate Register, who shot a 72 on the final day. Graff tied for 11th at 222 after playing her final round at par.

UA's Jill Gomric slipped to an 82 on Wednesday to finish at 238, tied for 36th place overall.

Talk about saving the best for last, it was the first time this season that the Wildcats had three golfers finish in the top 5.

Baena was named to the All-Pac-10 first team for the second year in a row, while Graff and Register garnered second-team honors. Gomric and Daniels received recognition by being named to the honorable mention squad.

Next up for Arizona are the Regional Championships in Tucson on May 8-10.