Behind a career-best 8-under par 64 from junior Averi Cline, Western Kentucky’s women’s golf finished second at the 2024 Lady Paladin Invitational in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Lady Tops fired a 1-under 287 on Sunday to finish with a 5-over 869 for the tournament, six shots back of Xavier.

Cline tallied the best round of the tournament, registering nine birdies against just one bogey on Sunday. She tied for second with teammate Catie Craig, who shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday. Cline and Craig each finished with 7-under 209s, one shot behind the medalist.

“Averi had an awesome round today and I’m so happy for her to put nine birdies on the board for a career-best 64,” WKU coach Adam Gary said in a news release. “She, alongside Catie, who had another strong tournament and finish, helped the team to another runner-up finish. Overall it was a solid week and another strong result in a 13-team field.”

Cline’s 8-under 64 marked the best round of her career and the low round by a Lady Topper so far this fall. The previous low round by a WKU golfer so far this season was a first-round 69 by Sydney Hackett at the Boilermaker Fall Classic. Cline’s 64 also tied the Lady Paladin Invitational record.

“Ultimately, the result is not up to me. It’s all decided by my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which helps take the pressure off,” Cline said in a news release. “I was sticking to my routine and focusing on one thing at a time. It’s so special to be able to share it with Catie. She is a phenomenal player and it’s an honor to be her teammate.”

Cline’s previous low round was a 69 at the 2023 CUSA Championships and her previous best finish was third, also at the 2023 CUSA Championships.

Craig has now played six of nine rounds this season under par, including four straight. Sunday’s 3-under 69 was her low round of the season after three straight rounds of 2-under 70.

The Lady Tops are back in action, Oct. 4-6, at the Princess Anne Invitational in Norfolk, Virginia.

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. Xavier | 287-288-288—863 (-1)

2. Western Kentucky | 291-291-287—869 (+5)

3. Furman | 288-297-286—871 (+7)

4. High Point | 294-293-287—874 (+10)

5. UNCW & Old Dominion Tied at 875 (+11)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD

1. Keira Gonzalez-McCarthy, Augusta | 68-70-70—208 (-8)

T2. Catie Craig, WKU | 70-70-69—209 (-7)

T2. Averi Cline, WKU | 75-70-64—209 (-7)

4. Anna Howerton, High Point | 71-71-68—210 (-6)

5. Casilda Allendesalazar, North Florida | 70-68-73—211 (-5)

T20. Sydney Hackett, WKU | 71-75-75—221 (+5)

T48. Nina McMurtrey, WKU | 77-74-78—229 (+13)

T50. Kaylee Dwyer, WKU | 75-76-79—230 (+14)

T67. Julia Zigrossi, WKU | 76-76-86—235 (+22)

– playing as individual