The Georgia women’s golf team lost to Ohio State in the Griffin Great 8 Match Play at the Brentwood Country Club. The loss came on the second tiebreaker known as a “timebreaker” after the Bulldogs and Buckeyes battled to a 2.5 – 2.5 score in Monday’s final round.

 
 
The Bulldogs and Buckeyes each won two matches by identical scores – 3-and-2 and 1-up. The fifth match ended at all-square after 18 holes.
 
 
Since the traditional tiebreaker of holes won (margin of victory) still left the match knotted, the second tiebreaker – time of the first point earned – decided the outcome.
 
 
That meant Jessica Porvasnik’s 3-and-2 win over Rinko Mitsunaga in the first match to hit the course eventually determined the outcome long after it was completed.
 
 
“We knew it going it,” head coach Josh Brewer said. “Actually, I really kinda liked the format until it went against us. Give Ohio State credit, they beat us.
 
 
“We played well,” Brewer added. “It happens. Some times you can tie and lose on a tiebreaker. We’ll learn from this because hopefully we be playing a lot more match play this season.”
 
 
The Bulldogs’ points came from Bailey Tardy’s 1-up decision over Jaclyn Lee and Mary Ellen Shuman’s 3-and-2 win over Rio Watanabe. Jillian Hollis halved her match with Katja Pogacar.
 
 
“Bailey had a great week,” Brewer said. “She did what one of the best players in the world should do; she went every match and got a point for us. I was proud of Mary Ellen for securing our second point today, which we really needed.”
 
 
The Bulldogs will play more match play during their own home event, Liz Murphey Collegiate on April 7-9. In addition, the NCAA Championships in May feature eight teams competing in match play following stroke play qualifying.
 
 
During the NCAAs, the match between Hollis and Pogacar would have extended past 18 holes to determine a winner without tiebreakers.
 
 
“It would have been so much fun to do that today, but it just wasn’t an option,” Brewer said.
 
 
Georgia will return to action on March 31 when they compete in the Bryan National Collegiate in Browns Summit, N.C.
 
 
Tuesday’s Results
Gifford Great 8 Match Play
Brentwood Country Club
Los Angeles, California
 
Ohio State 2.5 – Georgia 2.5
 
Jessica Porvasnik, OSU, def. Rinko Mitsunaga, UGA, 3-and-2
Bailey Tardy, UGA, def. Jaclyn Lee, OSU, 1-up
Mary Ellen Shuman, UGA, def. Rio Watanabe, OSO, 3-and-2.
Jillian Hollis, UGA, vs. Katja Pogacar, OSU, halved
Niki Schroeder, OSU, def. Harang Lee, UGA, 1-up