ST. CHARLES, Mo. – For the second time in her Griffon career, Missouri Western women’s golfer Shi Qing Ong will play in the NCAA Division II National Championships.

The junior birdied a three-player, one-hole playoff for one of the final two individual qualifying spots for the national championships. Ong finished the tournament in a three-way tie for fifth place after turning in the second lowest score of Wednesday’s third and final round of the NCAA Division II Central Super Regional. Ong’s 2-under, 70, on Wednesday was only bested by second place finisher Peerada Piddon of Arkansas Tech’s 68. The three-way tie for fifth forced the playoff between Ong, Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Elin Wahlin and Central Missouri’s Olivia Sobaski. Ong birdied the playoff hole and Sobaski shot par to move on with her MIAA counterpart.

Missouri Western carded a 304 on Wednesday, eight strokes better than their previous lowest round of the tournament. The great day at Missouri Bluffs didn’t translate to movement in the standings as the Griffons finished in ninth place.

Chong Yong finished tied for 19th with a three-round total of 228 after a 3-over 75 in round three. Tiffanie Yabut turned in an 80 on Wednesday to finish with a 240 total. Jana Kosmatka had her best round of the regional on Wednesday with a 79 and a three-round total of 241. Katie Irvin also turned in her best round, Wednesday, with an 80 to finish with a 253.

Augustana (S.D.) claimed the team championship with a three-round total of 890. Lindenwood finished second and Arkansas Tech was third. Those three teams along with the three top individuals from non-qualifying teams advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships at Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas, May 16-19. It will be Ong’s second appearance at the event after the women’s team advanced, on a playoff, in 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —