Five Trojans On Arnold Palmer Cup Fall Rankings

The No. 1 USC women's golf team, which won three fall tournaments en route to the nation's top ranking, put five players on the fall Arnold Palmer Cup Rankings between the U.S. and international lists that were released today.

The top six golfers from the final ranking in the Spring from both the United States and International men and women - 12 total golfers - will be among the 24 individuals selected to compete in the Arnold Palmer Cup, hosted by The Alotian Club in Roland, Arkansas, June 7-9.

Freshman Malia Nam (No. 3) and sophomores Jennifer Chang (No. 7) and Alyaa Abdulghany (No. 23) were on the U.S. list while Australian Gabriela Ruffels (No. 6) and New Zealand's Amelia Garvey (No. 12), also both sophomores, were on the international list.

Nam is USC's leader in stroke average (71.15) and has five top 12 finishes, including a second-place in her collegiate debut at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate at 12-under 204 (69-66-69). She has a team-best five rounds in the 60s.

Chang is third on the team with a 71.84 stroke average with four top 11 finishes in five starts, highlighted by a tie for fifth at the Stanford Intercollegiate at 4-under 209 (79-71-69). She has three rounds in the 60s.

Abdulghany, in four starts, has two top 12 results and three in the top 29. She was fourth at the Stanford Intercollegiate at 5-under 208 (67-71-70) and won both of her matches in USC's win at the East Lake Cup.

Ruffels is second on the team with a stroke average of 71.46 and has three top 8 finishes, including her first collegiate win with a 10-under 206 (69-66-71) at the Windy City Collegiate Championship. She won both her matches at the East Lake Cup and then tied for eighth at the Pac-12 Preview.

Garvey posted a trio of top 15 results in three starts, highlighted by a tie for eighth at the Stanford Intercollegiate at 3-under 210 (69-72-69). She also won both of her matches in the Trojans' East Lake Cup title.

Using Golfstat's NCAA Player Ranking as a base, the Arnold Palmer Cup Ranking awards bonus points for wins and high finishes and a penalty for poor finishes. The ranking also contains a strength of schedule component.

The remaining six men's and women's spots for the United States will consist of five committee selections, including at least one non-Division I golfer, and a coaches pick. The balance of the International team will include the men's and women's winners of The R&A Scholars Tournament, four committee selections, and a coaches pick.

The next Arnold Palmer Cup Ranking will be announced Feb. 13.

For more information visit arnoldpalmercup.com.

Players Mentioned

Alyaa Abdulghany

Jennifer Chang

Amelia Garvey

Malia Nam

Gabriela Ruffels