Women's golf, Sweeney win at TOPY Cup


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The No. 1 Arizona State University women's golf team began their quest to defend their national title with a win at the TOPY Cup in Japan. Junior Jaclyn Sweeney claimed medalist honors to lead the Sun Devils to their 18th tournament title under head coach Melissa Luellen. Shooting a 6-under 858 (286-281-291), the Sun Devils won by 26 strokes over second place Wake Forest. This is the Sun Devils fourth consecutive tournament win as they took first in their last three tournaments of the 2008-09 season (Pacific-10 Championships, NCAA West Regional Championships, NCAA Championships). This is the fourth time the Sun Devils have won the TOPY Cup as ASU collected victories in 1987, 1993 and 1998.

Sweeney shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to win by one stroke over teammate Juliana Murcia. The junior from Andover, Mass., carded a 5-under 211 (70-72-69) to claim her first medalist honors as a Sun Devil. Sweeney had previously won the 2008 Big 12 Championship when she was a freshman at Oklahoma State. Sweeney joins a prestigious list of Sun Devil greats Amy Fruhwirth, Wendy Ward and Grace Park to have TOPY Cup victories on their resume.

Murcia recorded her first top five finish of the season. The senior All-American shot a 4-under 212 (71-67-74) to finish runner-up in the TOPY Cup. This is Murcia's eighth top 10 finish of her career.

Carlota Ciganda, the No. 2 ranked player in women's collegiate golf, tied third in the first tournament of her sophomore campaign. With four birdies, she turned in her second under-par round of the tournament to finish the tournament 2-under 214 (71-73-70).

Giulia Molinaro finished the tournament tied for eighth with Michelle Shin of Wake Forest. The Italian sophomore carded a 5-over 221 (74-69-78) for her first top 10 finish of her career. Liisa Kelo shot a 22-over 238 (80-78-80) to place 28th overall.

The Sun Devils next head to the Mason Rudolph Invitational at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn. The tournament will take place September 25-27.