Mikayla Bardwell Sets Tennessee Women's Golf, SEC Championship Records

The Tennessee women’s golf team traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to compete in the SEC Championship April 13-17. During the second round of stroke play, senior Mikayla Bardwell had a record-breaking performance. To be able to perform such a feat, she may have utilized products such as those indoor golf simulators.

She shot a 63 (-9), breaking the Tennessee program record and SEC Championship record for lowest round. Her score also ties for ninth for the best round in relation to par in NCAA history. She now holds the two lowest rounds in relation to par in Lady Vol history.

During her impressive round, she made two pairs of birdies to shoot 4-under on the front nine. She caught a strong wind on the final nine holes, making birdies on five of her last six holes. She finished the day in second place, just one stroke behind the top spot.

“It was my best ball striking of my career over all 18 holes and I just had to keep telling myself to stop thinking so I didn’t get too in my head and let my body swing freely,” said Bardwell. “I’ve been really trying to play fearless golf and it was neat to see it actually happen today.”

The Lewisvlle, Texas native posted a 73 during the final round to finish stroke play in third place at 5-under, making it her best finish of the season. Her performance helped the Lady Vols advance to match play for the first time in program history.

On the season, the senior led the Lady Vols in top-10 finishes, rounds in the 60s, and is tied for rounds of par or better.

Bardwell qualified for NCAA Regionals as an individual and will play in the Franklin Regional May 9-11.