University of North Carolina Athletics
Sunday, October 13
Chapel Hill, N.C.
All Day
North Carolina
vs
Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational
Jennifer Zhou
Photo by: Andy Mead
Zhou's Fifth-Place Finish Leads Heels In Home Tournament
October 13, 2019 | Women's Golf
CHAPEL HILL - On a rainy afternoon, the North Carolina women's golf team finished in sixth place following the conclusion of the 44th annual Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational at UNC Finley Golf Course on Sunday. Carolina was once again led by sophomore Jennifer Zhou, who recorded an even-par 72 third round. Cumulating a total tournament score of 5-under-par 211 (70-69-72), Zhou finished in fifth place, the second-best finish of her collegiate career.
Zhou's final round got off to a rocking a start with three birdies in her first four holes. However, as the weather conditions worsened, the greens posed a challenge to all golfers. As a result, Zhou recorded one birdie in her final fourteen holes. Notably, the sophomore from Kunming, China, led the tournament field in birdies with 16 over the three rounds.
Freshman Krista Junkkari was the Tar Heels' next-best finisher with a total tournament score of even-par 216 (73-71-72), which placed her in a tie for 25th. Gaining five spots in the final round, Junkkari's even-par performance saw six birdies and seven pars.
Nicole Lu finished in a tie for 32nd with a tournament score of 2-over-par 218 (69-76-73). Lu's tournament got off to an explosive start with her lowest collegiate career round of 69 on the opening day. In total, she recorded eight birdies and 37 pars.
Junior Ava Bergner recorded a tournament score of 3-over-par 219 (72-75-72), which placed her in a tie for 38th place.
Following close behind, freshman Kayla Smith pieced together a 4-over-par 220 (73-70-77) to finish in a tie for 42nd.
Competing as individuals, Aleks Golde finished in a tie for 91st and Mariana Ocano finished in 95th.
As a team, Carolina recorded 55 birdies, the second most by the 18 competing teams. Additionally, the team tied for second on par-3 scoring with a 2.95 stroke average as well as fifth on par-4 scoring with a 4.09 stroke average.
The Michigan State Spartans won the team title for the second time in tournament history with a score of 11-under-par 852 (286-277-289).
The Tar Heels will tee it up again at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C., Oct. 25-27.
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Golf by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Zhou's final round got off to a rocking a start with three birdies in her first four holes. However, as the weather conditions worsened, the greens posed a challenge to all golfers. As a result, Zhou recorded one birdie in her final fourteen holes. Notably, the sophomore from Kunming, China, led the tournament field in birdies with 16 over the three rounds.
Freshman Krista Junkkari was the Tar Heels' next-best finisher with a total tournament score of even-par 216 (73-71-72), which placed her in a tie for 25th. Gaining five spots in the final round, Junkkari's even-par performance saw six birdies and seven pars.
Nicole Lu finished in a tie for 32nd with a tournament score of 2-over-par 218 (69-76-73). Lu's tournament got off to an explosive start with her lowest collegiate career round of 69 on the opening day. In total, she recorded eight birdies and 37 pars.
Junior Ava Bergner recorded a tournament score of 3-over-par 219 (72-75-72), which placed her in a tie for 38th place.
Following close behind, freshman Kayla Smith pieced together a 4-over-par 220 (73-70-77) to finish in a tie for 42nd.
Competing as individuals, Aleks Golde finished in a tie for 91st and Mariana Ocano finished in 95th.
As a team, Carolina recorded 55 birdies, the second most by the 18 competing teams. Additionally, the team tied for second on par-3 scoring with a 2.95 stroke average as well as fifth on par-4 scoring with a 4.09 stroke average.
The Michigan State Spartans won the team title for the second time in tournament history with a score of 11-under-par 852 (286-277-289).
The Tar Heels will tee it up again at the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C., Oct. 25-27.
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Golf by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
UNC Women's Basketball: Three-Ball Powers Tar Heels Past NC A&T, 85-50
Friday, November 21
WBB: Post-N.C. A&T Press Conference - Nov. 20, 2025
Friday, November 21
UNC Men's Soccer: Tar Heels Win in Penalties Over North Florida to Advance in NCAAT
Friday, November 21
Coach's Corner with Bill Belichick - Episode 11 - November 20, 2025
Thursday, November 20