[Farm93]

The slope of her lie would have helped the shot she should have hit.  The ball was below her feet, which promotes a fade.  The lie, in fact, and the edge of the hazard actually discouraged a shot to the middle or left of the fairway.  It pointed a clear path toward the right edge of the green, for a shot that would safely and softly fade right and set up the ideal third shot. 

The farther left she aimed, the more the edge of that hazard came into play.  Just seeing her lie and that edge, without even knowing the green complex, told me "She has to play out to right."  But she didn't. 

The lie, the lip of the hazard, and the ideal line for her third shot all argued against the shot she played. Why in heaven's name did she hit it?

Y'all are being a touch harsh I think.  She was Duke's #5 for a reason.  24 holes in and someone is going to mess up.  Nature of the game and all.

Not many players in NCAA golf are likely prepared for every teammate and the entire staff trying to help you make shots in front of national TV coverage for a shot at the NCAA finals.  That's pressure that probably did not help the decision making.

FWIW - During the coverage the commentators noted that her sister, Duke's #1, really seemed to play her own game and never had coaches with her.  Can't help but wonder if her sister would have preferred that independence from the staff too.

[Farm93]

The slope of her lie would have helped the shot she should have hit.  The ball was below her feet, which promotes a fade.  The lie, in fact, and the edge of the hazard actually discouraged a shot to the middle or left of the fairway.  It pointed a clear path toward the right edge of the green, for a shot that would safely and softly fade right and set up the ideal third shot. 

The farther left she aimed, the more the edge of that hazard came into play.  Just seeing her lie and that edge, without even knowing the green complex, told me "She has to play out to right."  But she didn't. 

The lie, the lip of the hazard, and the ideal line for her third shot all argued against the shot she played. Why in heaven's name did she hit it?

Y'all are being a touch harsh I think.  She was Duke's #5 for a reason.  24 holes in and someone is going to mess up.  Nature of the game and all.

Not many players in NCAA golf are likely prepared for every teammate and the entire staff trying to help you make shots in front of national TV coverage for a shot at the NCAA finals.  That's pressure that probably did not help the decision making.

FWIW - During the coverage the commentators noted that her sister, Duke's #1, really seemed to play her own game and never had coaches with her.  Can't help but wonder if her sister would have preferred that independence from the staff too.