Kansas women’s golf team wraps up second appearance at NCAA finals

The Kansas Jayhawks heard their coach’s message, but the field and the course were simply too good.

KU ended its season on Friday with a last-place finish in the women’s golf NCAA Championships at Tulsa Country Club.

The Jayhawks shot 12-over during the final round, cementing a 24th-place finish.

KU coach Erin O’Neil wanted her golfers to get better every day. They did that, which made for a worthwhile week for a program playing in only its second NCAA women’s golf championship.

“I think it’s been a great learning experience, wonderful opportunity,” O’Neil said. “We got to play against some of the best players in the country. I know we learned a lot and we’ll take what we learned and put it to work next year.”

Sophomore Yupaporn Kawinpakorn was the Jayhawks’ leader after shooting even par on Friday. She shot plus-19 for the tournament, good for best on the team.

“Basically, everything went well today,” Kawinpakorn said.

Meghan Potee ended her KU career shooting 15-over-par 85. Fellow senior Thanuttra Boonraksasat shot a 3-over-par 73. O’Neil said she was proud of her two seniors for improving the team culture over the past four years.

“They definitely helped get us here and laid the groundwork,” O’Neil said. “We hope we can take what they started and continue to build on it.

“They should be very proud of everything they have helped build.”

This story was originally published May 23, 2014 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Kansas women’s golf team wraps up second appearance at NCAA finals."