Thibault advances to NCAA Women's Golf Championship

STANFORD, Calif. - Fresno State senior golfer Brigitte Thibault became the first Bulldog to ever advance to the NCAA Women's Golf Championship, tying for sixth at the Stanford Regional this week. The senior had her best round on Wednesday with a 3-under 68 to push her up the leaderboard to qualify for the National Championship as one of the three low-scoring individuals not on a qualifying team at the Regional.

"It feels nice. It is nice to have and to keep forever," said Thibault on being the first Bulldog to make it to the Women's Golf National Championship. "Coming here, I wanted to beat myself from two years ago so it was nice to keep on that. I finished with a birdie when, last time, I finished with a bogey. I am super happy with it and I am glad that I got it."

Thibault finished with a 2-under-par 211 (70-73-68) at the Stanford Golf Course. The senior used a spectacular performance on Wednesday to jump 14 spots and punch her ticket to the National Championship. The senior had an even front nine, but locked in with a 3-under-par back nine to finish the day with a 68.

"I think it was fun because we moved away from the championship itself, and it was more about beating a record," said Thibault on her Wednesday performance. "That got my attention on track and it was easier for me to go and chase birdies instead of getting caught up in having to make it to nationals, but things turned out pretty good."

Thibault birdied the opening hole in Wednesday's final round. She finished the front nine shooting even, and had a strong back nine to close out under par. Thibault shot three birdies on the back nine, and finished the Regional with 11 total birdies.

The Canadian's 211 was the lowest score by a Bulldog at an NCAA regional event, besting her own record of 216 set in 2019 at the Auburn Regional. Thibault's 68 in the third round tied the lowest single-round score by a 'Dog in a Regional, a mark that matches her third round score from 2019. She opened the Regional on Monday with a 70, a mark that was the lowest-ever opening round for a Bulldog at a regional event and second-lowest in any round.

"I am certainly proud of her for notching herself another historical moment in this program, but also for earning herself another piece of history in her historic career as a Bulldog," said head coach Emily Loftin. "I am excited to see her get on the national stage against top competitors, and not only to see where she finishes but to see her have continued success as we head to the desert in Scottsdale."

Stanford was the team champion, finishing the Regional with a 28-under 824 (272-271-281). Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech, Arizona and USC also advanced to the NCAA National Championship. Thibault (Fresno State), Kajsa Arwefjall (San Jose State) and Anna Zanusso (Denver) were the individual qualifiers from the Stanford Regional.

The 2021 NCAA Women's Golf National Championship will be played at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. on May 21-26.

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Thibault advances to NCAA Women's Golf Championship

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Brigitte Thibault

Fresno State Athletics