May 12, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In the defining moment of her young professional golf career, former Michigan State women's golf standout Allison Fouch chipped in for birdie on the 18th hole Sunday to post a seven-under par 64 and ultimately tie for second at this weekend's LPGA Michelob ULTRA Open at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va.

Fouch ended the weekend at 12-over par 272 (69-71-68-64), a career-best score for her in LPGA competition, to finish in a four-way tie for second with Jeong Jang, Christina Kim and Karen Stupples. LPGA great Annika Sorenstam won the tournament by seven strokes with a 19-over par 265 (64-66-69-66).

Her error-free, final round 64, which tied for the second lowest round of the weekend, featured a career-low 21 putts and seven birdies. Fouch began with five birdies over the first seven holes, leading to a opening nine 31. She closed with birdies on the 15th and 18th, to push her up the final leaderboard.

"It was surreal," said Fouch to LPGA.com's Dana Gross-Rhode after her round on Sunday. "I played the best round of golf I've ever played. I made everything I looked at, which was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the competition."

Fouch, in her first year as an exempt member of the LPGA Tour, steadily moved up the board all weekend. She made the cut after finishing the first two rounds at two-under 140 (69-71), but she was currently in a tie for 33rd and seven strokes out of second. On Saturday, she came out strong to shoot a three-under 68, moving her up to a tie for 16th, but still was six shots behind Jang, who held onto to second.

"It's such a good feeling to prove I can compete with these players," said Fouch. "I've known since last season that I was ready to get myself into contention. Not that I was in contention to win today, but to finish top-five is a new experience for me and to have a top-10, top-five under my belt will help tremendously next time I'm near the top of the leaderboard."

Fouch's finish earned her $138,548 this weekend and moved her into 29th place on the 2008 LPGA official money list with $194,167.

"We are so proud and happy for Allison and her accomplishments on the LPGA thus far," said MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. "In my 13 year coaching career, I have never seen a player work harder or have more dedication to her sport, and for that matter, to whatever she chose to be a part of. This is just the beginning, there is much more to come for Allison. What a wonderful accomplishment for not only our golf program, but for Michigan State University."

As a Spartan, Fouch was an honorable mention All-American as a senior, a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and a four-time All-Academic Big Ten selection. The 2004 graduate won two tournaments as a senior, and had three in her stellar collegiate career. She is currently third on the program's career stroke average list at 76.49, highlighted by a career-best 75.00 mark during her final campaign.

Up next, Fouch will compete in the Sybase Classic Presented by ShopRite in Clifton, N.J. on May 15-18.