The ASU women's golf team was not able to reignite the fire it had at the start of the 2004 campaign this weekend, as it teed off its season in Fukushima, Japan.
After setting up its approach for a birdie shot at the Topy Cup title in the first two rounds, the Sun Devils fell to third place Thursday.
Tohoku Fukushi won the event held at the par 72, 6,036-yard Tanagura Country Club, after posting a 1-under-par 899 in 54 holes.
Pac-10 rival Washington fired a 1-over 301 on Thursday to edge out ASU and claim runner-up honors by one stroke.
ASU finished with 14-over 914 (300-311-303) ahead of Japan's Senshu and Nihon teams.
This is the first year ASU has competed in the tournament and not won the title.
Senior Alissa Kuczka also dropped one spot to fourth in the individual competition after carding an even-par 72 Thursday.
Kuczka finished the tournament at 3-over 219 (71-76-72).
Junior Tiffany Tavee fired her second straight 5-over round and finished tied for 12th place at 12-over 228.
Miki Saiki of Tohoku Fukushi claimed the individual title after posting two sub-70 stroke rounds.
Fukushi finished at 3-under 213 (72-70-71)
The Sun Devils will have two weeks off before heading to Franklin, Tenn., to compete in the Mason Rudolf Championship.
Reach the reporter at mark.saxon@asu.edu.
