While the weather is finally cooling off, Lauren Briggs’ golf game continues to be hotter than a firecracker on the Fourth of July.

Briggs was at it again this week, earning Co-Golfer of the Week by the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

“Receiving the honor feels great,” Briggs said. “I am glad to be playing so well and seeing all the recognition for my work. I hope to keep up my low scoring, but I must remember to take it one shot at a time.”

Briggs, a junior, helped the Northwest Missouri State University women’s golf team shoot its second-lowest 36-hole score in program history as the Bearcats competed in the Newman Fall Women’s Invite in Andover, Kansas.

Briggs, a graduate of Burlington High School, has played six rounds this fall and leads the team with a 72.17 stroke average.

She fired a 1-under round of 70 to tie for third at the Newman Fall Women’s Invite at Terradyne Country Club, a par-71 measuring 5,798 yards.

She had a 36-hole total of 141, which is the second-best individual 36-hole scoring mark in program history. Briggs’ final round of 70 is tied for the seventh-best single-round total in the Bearcat record book.

Briggs knocked in four birdies in Tuesday’s final round at No. 3, No. 6, No. 14 and No. 16. Briggs’ eight birdies tied for the second-most birdies in the 85-player field.

Briggs has produced nine career top-10 finishes and six top-five finishes as a Bearcat. 

“Going into the tournament during our practice round, I didn’t feel the most confident with how I was playing. The course was a links style and most of the shots rolled out, especially on the greens,” Briggs said. “Day 1 didn’t start off that strong and I was having some pain in my right wrist. My coach taped up my wrist for support and I immediately sunk a putt for birdie. The rest of the day was steady.

“The second day I felt good going into it and tried to stay focused and calm. I especially had to calm myself for the last hole, on my last 4-foot putt. I felt nervous, but knew I just had to trust my line and putt with a steady stroke. Thankfully I made the putt and was able to finish my round one under par without letting my nerves get the best of me. I am pleased with how well I managed my nerves this last tournament and I think that is what allowed me to finish so well.”

The Bearcats play in the Grace Shin Invitational Oct. 5-6 at the Golf Club at Edmond in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Northwest Missouri State wraps up the fall slate with the Central Region Fall Preview Oct. 11-13 at Meadowlark Hills in Kearney, Nebraska.