No. 1 Duke trudged to a fifth-place finish at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Ga., the Blue Devils' worst finish since October 2006. Their collective mark of 918 was their highest since March 2002.
The Blue Devils were off the whole weekend, finishing 10th Friday and moving up to seventh by Saturday.
Even defending National Player of the Year Amanda Blumenherst squandered an individual lead Sunday, shooting a 2-over 74 on the tournament's last day to finish tied for third. Blumenherst bogeyed five of her first 10 holes Sunday, but the junior still acquired her 26th career top-10 finish with three birdies over her last eight holes.
Junior Jennie Lee posted a 1-over 73 Sunday to finish with a 13-over 229, good for a tie for 15th.
Duke's best rounds all weekend belonged to Blumenherst and freshman Kim Donovan, who carded a 72 Saturday. She finished in a tie for 24th.
In the same season Duke posted a collective 920 in 2002, head coach Dan Brooks led his squad to its national championship later that season. The Blue Devils are aiming for their fourth consecutive NCAA title this spring.
The Blue Devils will hit the links again next weekend, when they travel to Browns Summitt, N.C. to take part in the Bryan National Collegiate.
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