Mikayla Bardwell of Tennessee Lady Vols wins Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship

Tennessee women's golfer Mikayla Bardwell made the comeback look easy. 

Bardwell shot a 3-under par 69 Thursday to win the Tennessee Women's Amateur Championship at Tennessee National in Loudon. The junior won by three shots, finishing at 3-under par 313 . She is the second member of UT's golf team in the past three years to win the event, joining 2018 champion Mariah Smith.

After tying for first after the first day on Tuesday with a 71, Bardwell dropped into a tie for second with a 73 after Wednesday's second round.

Bardwell moved into a three-way tie with Middle Tennessee State's Catherine Caudill and Caroline Caudill on the front nine Thursday. Bardwell then pulled away with consecutive birdies and the next seven holes showed steady play with four pars and three birdies, including birdies on the final two holes. 

"She made a great comeback after a tough start today," Tennessee coach Judi Pavon said in a school release. "She has had a really good summer and it was wonderful to see all of the hard work she has put in over the last couple of month pay off with a win in the Tennessee Women's Amateur."

Bardwell was near the top of the leaderboard for most of the 54-hole tournament. She held off Catherine Caudill (73), who finished second,  and Lady Vols commitment Kynadie Adams (73) of Gallatin, who was third and four back.

Smith (73), who was 3 over, tied for fourth.