MEDINAH, Ill. – In a competitive field, the Fighting Illini women's golf team finished third overall, while breaking two school records in their own Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah on Tuesday. At the inaugural tournament, the Illini recorded the lowest 54-hole tournament team score in program history with an 845 (-19). The previous record was set at last season's fall opener, Mercedes Benz-Collegiate Championship, with an 840 (-12).
In the final round, the Illini posted a 280 (-8), matching their 8-under par score from the second round. Both rounds mark the lowest single-round score in program history. Before Medinah, the lowest-single round was a seven-under par tally at the 2018 Big Ten Championships and 2017 Briar's Creek Invitational.
In a four-team race for the top spot, Big Ten competitor, Purdue, led the field with an 837 (-27) while Kent State was close behind with an 841 (-23). After finishing third in the first round, the Miami Hurricanes fell a stroke behind the orange and blue to finish fourth.
Leading the charge for the Illini once again was freshman Crystal Wang. The Diamond Bar, Calif. native tied for fourth, recording a career-best 208 (-8), ranking her second among the lowest 54-hole tournament totals in program history. Wang opened up the tournament strong with a career-best individual round score of 67 (-5), tying for fourth-best in program history. The highest ranked freshman in the tournament also tied her career-high of 12 birdies.
Freshman Kornkamol Sukaree is steadily improving with each tournament. Sukaree enjoyed a bogey free second round, recording a career-best 68 (-4) and tying for the 10th best individual round in program history. Posting a career-high 11 birdies, Sukaree broke into the top 10 for the first time in her collegiate career, tying for seventh with 210 (-6). Her individual total ties her with Illini alumni Hailey Koschmann and Grace Park for the third-best 54-hole tournament total in program history.
A steady force and leader for the orange and blue, senior Bing Singhsumalee tied for 14th with a season-best 213 (-3). The Naperville, Ill. native also posted a bogey free round in the second round. Junior Tristyn Nowlin bounced back after day 1, moving 27 spots in the individual rankings and posting a 217 (+1). In the final round, Nowlin tied with Sukaree for the lowest Illini round with a 69 (-3). Rounding out the starting five is sophomore Ali Morallos, who tied for 57th with a 223 (+7).
Freshman duo Katie Hallinan and Lauren Nay made their collegiate debuts at Medinah as individuals. Hallinan tied for 74th with a 226 (+10) and recorded an under-par score of 71 (-1) in the second round. Highlighted by four birdies in the second round and an even-par tally in the first round, Nay finished 78th with a 229 (+13).
Next up, the Illini will have a short break before heading to Simpsonville, Ky. for the annual Cardinal Cup on Oct. 20-21.
Follow the Illini
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the latest information on Fighting Illini Women's Golf. Follow the Orange and Blue on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for complete coverage.
