GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Senior Anna Morgan (-13) birdied No. 18 to clinch the individual title and lead Furman to a share of the team championship Sunday in the final day of the 49th Annual Lady Paladin Invitational at the par-72, 6,262 yard Furman University Golf Course in Greenville, S.C.

The Paladins (-5) were down by one stroke with one hole remaining, before Morgan's birdie on her final hole lifted Furman to a tie with Augusta (-5), who led the field with a 282 on Sunday.  Western Kentucky (-2) placed third, followed by North Florida (+7) in fourth and James Madison (+11) in fifth place.  

"This was one of the best weeks I have ever had as a coach," said Furman head coach Jeff Hull, who led Furman to its third-straight Lady Paladin Invitational title and 21st tournament championship since he joined the Paladin staff.  "We got to not only celebrate our two great seniors, Caroline Crumrine and Anna Morgan, but introduce our new freshmen to the college golf world.  Our culture is awesome, and this win means a lot.  We had a great family dinner Friday night and got to witness greatness by the name of Anna Morgan."

A native of Spartanburg, S.C., Morgan notched a team-high six birdies to finish with a 5-under 67 in the final round.  She birdied her opening hole then added a second birdie on No. 5 to begin to pull away from the field.  After a bogey on No. 7, she turned at 1-under then birdied four of her last eight holes to seal the five-stroke victory.  Her three-round total of 70-66-67=203 ties the lowest 54-hole score in tournament history, which Morgan previously posted in 2021, while the victory, which was the fifth of her career, tied the Paladin record for career wins.  Morgan joins former Paladins Betsy King, Beth Daniel, Dottie Pepper, and Jennifer Perri, who each also notched five career wins.

Freshman Audrey Ryu (E) tied for 13th after carding a 73 with four birdies in the final round, while junior Alise Knudson (+3) shot an even 72 with three birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 5 and No. 6, to tie for 22nd.  Senior Caroline Crumrine (+5) recorded her best three-round total of her career (74-75-72=221) to finish in a tie for 22nd, her highest regular-season finish over the past four seasons.  She posted an even 72 with back to back birdies on No. 5 and No. 6 and a third birdie on No. 12.  Freshman Kelsi Mauzy (+8) recorded a 75 with three birdies on Sunday, tying for 43rd. 

Sophomore Liza Lapeyre (+16) and freshman Katie Ireland (+26) competed as individuals.  Lapeyre shot a 78 with birdies on No. 1 and No. 18 to finish 81st, while Ireland carded a 78 with a birdie on No. 9 to finish in a tie for 94th.  

Furman will compete at Old Dominion's Evie Odom Invitational Oct. 6-8 in Virginia Beach, Va.

T1 Furman 285 290 284 859 -5

1 Anna Morgan (1) 70 66 67 203 -13

T13 Audrey Ryu (4) 69 74 73 216 E

T22 Alise Knudson (2) 72 75 72 219 +3

T28 Caroline Crumrine (3) 74 75 72 221 +5

T43 Kelsi Mauzy (5) 74 75 75 224 +8

81 Liza Lapeyre (I)* 78 76 78 232 +16

T94 Katie Ireland (I)* 86 78 78 242 +26

*-played as an individual