Arkansas' Lewis too much for SEC golf field

LOUDON - University of Arkansas senior Stacy Lewis was noticeable during the SEC women's golf championship by her pull cart.

"I had back surgery about five years ago and it is to prevent further injury," the Houston area resident said.

Sunday at the end of the tournament at Tennessee National, Lewis was conspicuous by her hardware for winning the individual title.

The 2007 NCAA champion, who also won the SEC title as a freshman, pulled two shots ahead of Hannah Yun of Florida with a birdie on No. 16 and won by one after three-putting No. 18.

"Today was kind of a roller coaster," said Lewis, who shot a par 72 to finish 2-under for the tournament. "I started out really well but struggled coming in. But I was able to make birdie on No. 16. That was the key."

Yun - a 16-year-old first semester freshman who skipped an elementary school grade and took her senior year online - helped the Lady Gators win the team title by 17 shots over Arkansas.

Florida shot a 4-under 284 Sunday to finish at 874 for the three-day tournament.

"It is a big relief because this team and group kept persevering," said 10th-year coach Jill Briles-Hinton, whose Lady Gators last won the SEC in 1995. "It is very rewarding."

Tennessee was nine strokes better than Friday or Saturday and moved from 10th to eighth place.

"We did play better today," said Lady Vol coach Judi Pavon, whose squad has qualified for the NCAA regionals in early May. "At least we looked like ourselves."

Performing even better was Tennessee sophomore Ginny Brown, who shot 74 for her best collegiate round. Included was probably the best shot of her career as well - a holed second shot from 127 yards on No. 16 for an eagle.

"I felt like I have been playing well, but I have not been able to put it together," said Brown, who finished tied for 46th at 241.

Tennessee senior Marci Turner also shot 74 to finish 11th at 222. Other Tennessee scores included Diana Cantu (236), Angela Oh (238) and Rebecca Watson (242).

Among the other team scores, Georgia finished in third at 903, followed by Auburn (910), South Carolina (915), LSU (920), Alabama (921), Tennessee (931), Vanderbilt (935), Mississippi (939), Mississippi State (952) and Kentucky (953).

Farragut High School graduates Erika Thornton of Mississippi State and Jillian Brodd of Ole Miss finished tied for 27th and 33rd, respectively. Thornton finished at 233, while Brodd was at 236.