MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Daniela Murray is as cerebral as they come. There's no getting around that. Her golf game isn't too shabby either. Combine the two, and it can make for a recipe for success on the course.
On Thursday, Barry University's junior golfer from Sau Paolo, Brazil, got the official word she will compete for her native country's national team in a couple different events beginning next month. Murray was chosen to play in the Copa los Andes tournament Nov. 23-Dec. 1 in Bogota, Colombia. She will compete for the Brazilian National Team in the event that pits singles and doubles matches in a tournament-style format.
"I am very excited," said Murray, who has the second-lowest scoring average on the Buccaneers team in the first two tournaments this season. "I always like to play for a team, whether it's Barry University women's golf team or the Brazilian National Team. I feel like we have a strong team going into the tournament, and we have a chance to win it."
Following the college season in May, Murray was also chosen by the Brazilian Golf Confederation to compete for her country in a series of tournaments throughout the world. Coach Shaun Case contacted Murray, informing her of his interest in her. She will be eligible to compete for Brazil in late May, possibly in Ireland, followed by a trip to Scotland to play the hallowed grounds of St. Andrews -- home to The Open Championship.
"I told my dad, he would probably only see me on the bridge taking pictures at St. Andrews," Murray kidded.
Her official travel schedule will be made known later after the Brazilian government determines the resources it will allocate for its players to compete in.
"I will proudly wear my school colors and my colors of my country, and I will represent them as best as I can," Murray said. "I'm honored to have this opportunity. I'm really happy that they are watching what I'm doing here, and that the practice here is paying off."
Murray matched a career-low 72 in her first tournament of the collegiate season on her way to a third place finish at the Florida Gulf Coast Eagle Invitational Barry won. She has a national rating of 86 entering next week's Saint Leo Invitational in Dade City, Fla. She is second on the team in greens in regulation, having produced a .444 percentage.
"This opportunity motivates me even more to work even harder," Murray said. "You can be sure that I'll be giving everything I have so we can perform well."
Barry University coach Shannon Sykora is enamored with the opportunities that have been created for his player.
"Daniela is well-deserving of these opportunities," Sykora said. "We believe these international experiences will help her game on an individual level, but also give her experience that can benefit us as a team. We're excited to see her compete in these international events."
Murray has competed in the past two NCAA Division II National Championships, helping the Buccaneers finish fourth and third, respectively, in the past two seasons.
"This opportunity after the season will tell me where I stand, and what I need to work on," she said. "College golf has made me a more mentally tough person, and the season abroad will make me even tougher. I think that will give me a great advantage for my senior year."
