Justine Bayle Battles to Playoff for Individual Medalist as Tampa Women's Golf Shines in Spring Opener

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The No. 17-ranked University of Tampa women's golf team earned a strong fourth-place finish at the World Golf Invitational, posting a +31 total against one of the nation's deepest Division II fields.

The tournament, held Feb. 9–10 at the Slammer & Squire in St. Augustine, featured numerous nationally ranked programs, including Flagler (No. 13), Nova Southeastern (No. 12), Lander (No. 18), Florida Southern (No. 10), Saint Leo (No. 22), Rollins (No. 19), Barry (No. 14), Lynn (No. 8), Eckerd (No. 20), Lee (No. 7), and West Florida (No. 24).

Tampa's Justine Bayle delivered a standout performance, firing an even‑par 216 with rounds of 73–70–73, earning a share of the 54‑hole lead. She advanced to a multi‑hole playoff for medalist honors that turned into one of the event's defining moments.

Bayle played hole No. 4 a total of four times during the playoff before ultimately finishing as the runner‑up, as Lander's Kajsa Lindqvist secured the win with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole.

Tampa Performers

• Justine Bayle tied for medalist at 216 (E) after rounds of 73, 70, and 73, then played hole No. 4 four times in a dramatic playoff before finishing second.
• Kat Brictson recorded a 224 (+8) with consistent bookend rounds of 73 surrounding a second‑round 78 to finish T16.
• Ruth Toennessen posted a 226 (+10), highlighted by an opening‑round even‑par 72 en route to a T22 finish.
• Kelly Shanahan turned in a 233 (+17) behind rounds of 77, 76, and 80 to place T45.
• Maria Mora added a 236 (+20) with rounds of 75, 76, and 85 to finish T60.
• Competing individually, Annie Betts carded a 232 (+16) with rounds of 73, 78, and 81 to finish 41st overall.

Up Next

Tampa will next play at the Lady Mocs Classic in Lakeland, Fla., on February 23-24 at Grasslands Country Club.