Montoya, Schmidt Record Top-Five Finishes in OKC

April 5, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. – University of Oklahoma golfers Mariah Montoya and Taylor Schmidt each recorded top-five finishes Tuesday while competing as individuals at the Quail Creek Classic at the Quail Creek Golf and Country Club in Oklahoma City.

Montoya, a freshman from Lubbock, Texas, fired a career-low 75 (+3) in Tuesday's round to claim a career-best second-place finish with a 36-hole total of 161 (+17).

“I've been working really hard on my game and I knew this tournament was the time for me to show off my hard work,” said Montoya. “Yesterday was a pretty tough day with the wind blowing that hard, so I try not to judge anything by yesterday's score. Today was just solid course management. I knew where I was hitting it and made every putt I looked at.”

Schmidt finished two spots behind her OU teammate in a tie for fourth place with a two-day score of 163 (+19).

The sophomore's appearance in the Quail Creek Classic was her first tournament since undergoing ACL surgery last November. Schmidt started in four fall tournaments for the Sooners and used this week's tournament to start her post-recovery play.

“Well, it was tough,” said Schmidt. “I tried my hardest and have a lot to work on. I played with all my heart and soul. As for my knee, it felt great. I didn't experience any problems while playing.”

The Quail Creek Classic, hosted by Oklahoma City University, featured a field of four NAIA teams and 25 total individuals.

As a team, Oklahoma will compete in its final tournament of the regular season April 11-12 at the Baylor Lady Bear Invitational in Waco, Texas.