The ISU women’s golf team flexed its collective muscle last time it hit the course for the Mountain View Collegiate in Tucson, Ariz., by finishing second overall out of 15 teams.

The Cyclones had a long break without tournament play, almost an entire month. With having such a long break, the team has not suffered, but been given the chance to continue its solid play and practice on the little things.

“[The break] has really given us some more time for preparation,” said ISU coach Christie Martens. “Ohio State’s golf course is much different than what we’re used to playing on, and the extra time has let us practice our short game a lot.”

Though the team acknowledged the chance for a long break after a strong performance to hurt its momentum, the Cyclones aren’t worried about the layoff.

Martens is having the team practice and prepare its game, and she is looking for all the players to compete at high levels for the rest of the season to come out with more solid finishes.

“We just had a lot of good play throughout our whole lineup,” Martens said. “We’ve been working a lot on wedges, putting and focus through an entire round and we are just going to continue working on that.”

Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Prima Thammaraks and senior Kristin Paulson have led Iowa State on the links more recently.

Martens said she is looking for them to continue their success.

“Punpaka has really been turning the corner in her game lately,” Martens said. “Kristin shot a 69 in her last round at the last tournament, which is really exciting. Just throughout the lineup we’re really starting to play well as a whole.”

Despite recent success, players continue to work on things in their game that will make them better. Phuntumabamrung, coming off a solid tournament, believes she can still do better.

“I’ve been focusing on my [putting],” the junior said. “I didn’t putt well this last tournament, so I try to improve that.”

As a team, the Cyclones have been aiming their focus toward practicing their short game. Putting and chipping, they said, can make or break your round.

“The short game has been the main focus for the team,” Phuntumabamrung said. “It is a very big part of the golf game.”

Iowa State does not compete again until April 21 where the Cyclones will play in the Lady Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.