The Illinois women’s golf team finished its fall season Tuesday at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational in Austin, Texas, with a last-place finish against a tough 15-team field that included 10 ranked teams.

The Illini finished with a team score of 927 in three rounds that were played over three days on the 6,344-yard course. Day three’s score of 298 was its best single-round performance this year.

While the team’s overall numbers were not stellar, the final round helped Illinois end on its best note of the fall season, which gives head coach Renee Slone hope for progress.

“It was great to end our golf season with our best round of golf,” Slone said. “It’s something we can build off of.”

The team’s best individual performer was sophomore Pimploy Thirati, who finished tied for 37th with a total score of 21-over-par 225. Her best round of the tournament, and of her career, came in the third round with a 1-under-par 72. She also tallied four birdies during the round.

“To be honest, I’ve been working hard, and what I’ve been doing is finally paying off,” Thirati said. “I’m really excited for the team as well.”

The Thailand native has put a lot into improving as she continues to live out her dream of playing for Illinois. Slone said she has definitely noticed Thirati’s success and how the sophomore has managed to put it all together.

“That was her career-best tournament for us,” Slone said. “It’s very exciting to see the progress that she is making. She’s really playing some smart golf and has a better mentality and understanding of what she needs to do to play solid golf.”

Junior Ember Schuldt tied for 50th with 216. Former Longhorn and current Illinois sophomore Samantha Postillion shot a 220, tying for 60th overall. Sophomores Jacqueline Calamaro and Michelle Mayer placed 77th and 79th, respectively, with scores of 245 and 250.

As their focus shifts toward the winter, the Illini will be working to improve for their spring season. Because practicing as a team will be limited, Slone and assistant coach Jackie Szymoniak want their athletes to work on strength and conditioning. The short game also will be emphasized, as the players can utilize their indoor facilities on an individual basis.

Even though the next competition isn’t until early February, the Illini will try keep some momentum rolling.

“I think as a whole it was definitely a good note to finish the fall season on,” Szymoniak said. “I think that there’s a lot of positives that we can carry into the offseason.”

Alex can be reached at [email protected].