Mueller and Schmidt Claim Seventh in Hooters Team Championship

Aug. 5, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. - The Sooner duo of senior Ellen Mueller and sophomore Taylor Schmidt shot a third-round aggregate score of 148 (+4) Thursday to finish in seventh place at the Hooters Women's Collegiate Team Championship at Achasta by Reynolds in Dahlonega, Ga.

The tournament featured 53 teams of two golfers from the same school and featured a different scoring format in each of its three rounds.

Mueller and Schmidt began the day at 7-under-par after shooting an even-par 72 in Tuesday's alternate shot round and a 65 (-7) in Wednesday's best ball round. The Sooners' final three-round score of 285 (-3) was two shots away from a top-five finish.

“All week long we played really solid,” said Mueller, “especially yesterday when we went really low. We never really got into trouble. We just kept making pars and throwing some birdies in every so often.”

Both Sooners fell victim to rocky starts on Thursday, with Mueller shooting a 39 (+3) on the front nine and Schmidt going out with a 40 (+4).

Each recovered on the tournament's final nine holes as they combined for five birdies on the back side. Both players finished the day at 74 (+2) individually.

“We sort of struggled starting out and we just couldn't get the putts to fall,” said Mueller. “The greens are sort of dying out from all the heat, so they were faster than they were earlier this week. I guess it took us nine holes to get some to finally roll in. We kicked it into gear on the back nine.”

Wake Forest's Cheyenne Woods and Michelle Shin shot 15-under to take home the title. Runners-up Brooke Pancake and Jennifer Kirby of Alabama finished two strokes behind the winners.

Mueller will wrap up her summer schedule next week at the prestigious U.S. Women's Amateur Championship in Charlotte, N.C. Earlier this summer, Mueller reached the “final four” of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship, which featured more than 150 golfers.

With the fall season approaching, both Mueller and Schmidt hope to bring their individual summer success on the course back to Norman and into the Sooner lineup.

“Both our games are in top shape right now. It's exciting to see, especially with the fall season right around the corner,” said Mueller.