Feb. 26, 2013

PLEASANTON, Calif.--Sophomore Noemi Jimenez won her first career individual title at the first-annual Cal Classic, Tuesday, in Pleasanton, Calf. Jimenez shot 5-under 139 (68-71) for the 36-hole tournament to secure her first-place finish.

Jimenez, a native of Malaga, Spain, is the 78th individual tournament medalist for Arizona State since 1982 and joins the ranks of golfers like talented Spanish compatriots: two-time Pac-12 Champion Carlota Ciganda ('09, '10) and NCAA Champion Azahara Munoz ('08).

Jimenez recorded ten birdies over two rounds to finish with a total score of 5-under and won the Cal Classic by a margin of five stroke, making her the only golfer to finish the tournament under par. On Monday, Jimenez shot 4-under 68, one shot off her career-low of 67 set this fall in the opening round of the Dale McNamara Invitational. 

As a team Arizona State finished the Cal Classic in second place, six shots off tournament champion Stanford. The Sun Devils shot a two-round total of 16-over 592 (296-296) to secure the second-place finish. On the year, ASU has recorded three top-five finishes including a tournament championship at the Dale McNamara Invitational in to start the season. Also finishing in the top-10, junior Laura Blanco tied for sixth place with a two-round total of 2-under 146 (71-75).

Next up, Arizona State travels to South Carolina, Mar. 7-10, to compete in the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate at the Long Cove Club, where the team will be treated to a private performance by the former Hootie and the Blowfish front man and tournament namesake.