Following a record-tying start to the season, Krista Junkkari of the UNC women’s golf team was named Co-ACC Women’s Golfer of the Month on Wednesday, along with Duke’s Erica Shepherd.

At the Charleston Cougar Classic in September, Junkkari stood out among a Carolina side that finished fifth out of 17 teams. Junkkari tied school records for total score (204) and score to par (-12), and finished in second place overall. She also set the UNC 18-hole record by shooting a seven-under 65 in the first round of the tournament. She then followed that up with a 67 in the second round. Her runner-up finish is the best individual result for a UNC female golfer since 2017.

“Krista played terrific,” said UNC women’s golf coach Aimee Neff after the tournament. “Finishing solo second with two rounds in the mid-60s is outstanding.”

Junkkari is a junior, originally from Elimäki, Finland. She is a member of the Finnish national golf team, and became a Finnish champion and European silver medalist in 2019. She is a two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll and a two-time Women’s Golf Coaches Association Academic Scholar.

Currently, Junkkari is competing with the women’s golf program at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational in Arkansas. After two rounds, the Tar Heel women are in eighth place out of 10 teams.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

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