Azahara Munoz claims individual NCAA Championship

May 23, 2008

Arizona State junior golfer <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/munoz_azahara00.html">Az… Munoz</a> made her first career tournament win an important one as she shot a 1-under 287 (69-72-73-73) to claim the NCAA individual championship at the 6,424-yard, par-72 University of New Mexico Championship Golf Course on May 23. Munoz defeated UCLA's Tiffany Joh in a tie-breaker to be declared winner.<separator></separator>Munoz is ASU's first individual champion since Grace Park in 1999 and ninth overall. Other previous winners include Kristel Mourgue d'Algue (1995), Emilee Klein (1994), Danielle Ammaccapane (1985), Cathy Gaughan (1970), Jane Bastanchury-Booth (1969), Carol Sorenson (1962) and Joanne Gunderson-Carner (1960). Munoz is sixth-year head coach <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/luellen_melissa00.html">… Luellen's</a> first individual champion.<separator></separator>Munoz was named Golf World's Best Player You've Maybe Never Heard Of this past December, as well as being named a Mid-Season All-American. She has now recorded 13 top-five appearances in her career at ASU. The Malaga, Spain native had previously been named an NGCA second-team All-American in her first two seasons as a Sun Devil. This is her 10th top-10 finish this season. Munoz recorded a 71.97 stroke average. At last season's NCAA Championships, Munoz finished 65th.<separator></separator>The team placed fifth overall. The Sun Devils shot a 37-over 1189 (290-301-301-297) over the four day tournament. The tournament proved to be an interesting one as inclement weather delayed play numerous times. Luellen has now led the team to four top-10 national finishes. USC won the tournament, shooting a 16-over 1168.<separator></separator>Sophomore All-American <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/nordqvist_anna00.html">A… Nordqvist</a> shot a 3-over 291 (75-73-72-71) to tie for fifth overall. Nordqvist shot a 1-under 71 in the final round. Her fifth place finish is her ninth top-10 finish of the season. The Sun Devils were the lone team in the tournament to have two players finish in the top-five.<separator></separator><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/murcia_juliana00.html">J… Murcia</a> was the third lowest-scoring Sun Devil. The sophomore finished the tournament at 16-over 304 (73-79-75-77) to tie for 54th overall. <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/osborn_jennifer00.html">… Osborn</a> shot a 24-over 312 (73-77-86-76) to tie for 89th overall while <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/kelo_liisa00.html">Liisa Kelo</a> recorded a 32-over 320 (76-84-81-79). <separator></separator>Arizona State Women's Golf Individual National Champions: 2008- <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-golf/mtt/munoz_azahara00.html">Az… Munoz</a> 1999-Grace Park 1995-Kristel Mourgue d'Algue 1994-Emilee Klein 1985-Danielle Ammaccapane 1970-Cathy Gaughan 1969-Jane Bastanchury-Booth 1962-Carol Sorenson 1960-Joanne Gunderson-Carner