Scoreboard/Leaderboard
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Illinois women's golf opened the 2025-26 season with a tie for fifth-place finish at the Wolverine Invitational, carding a 54-hole team total of 880 (+28). The Illini posted a third-round score of 293 (+9), the second lowest round of the field, right behind host Michigan, on day two.
As a team, Illinois racked up 29 birdies along with an eagle, and the second-most pars by by a team at the event with 173. The Illini tied for fourth in both par 3 and par 4 averages as well as tying for second in par 5 averages.
"As a team we thought the Wolverine invitational was a strong start for our team," shared Illini senior Anna Ritter. "It showed us that even though we can all definitely play better score wise, we are still able to compete and contend."
Illinois carded team rounds of 295 (+11), 292 (+8), and 293 (+9) across the Wolverine Invitational. Three Illini recorded top-15 individual finishes at the outing: Ritter (t-7th), Alexis Myers (t-11th), and Brielle Mapanao (t-14th).
Ritter carded her second even-par round finishing with a 71 (E) on the final 18 holes. Ritter led the Illini, tying for seventh on the individual leaderboard - her third-best finish as an Illini and the fifth top-10 mark of her career. Ritter shot a 217 (+4) on the tournament. Individually, Ritter tied for fourth in par 3 averages (3.00 | E), tied for third in pars shot on par 3 holes, and tied for third in total pars (37).
"I had a strong first tournament for myself with really steady play," Ritter continued. "The course had a lot of shots that required accuracy off the tee, so it was a good test for all of us. We're really looking forward to our next tournament up in Madison, Wisconsin, as it's another potential regional site that our team could go to in the spring, so we're looking forward to competing there and getting a feel for the course!"
Alexis Myers concluded her debut tournament with the Orange and Blue by posting a 72 (+1) third-round score. She finished the tournament tied for 11th after shooting a 219 (+6). During the tournament's opening round, Myers claimed the fifth hole-in-one of her career while using a 6 iron from 148 yards.
Brielle Mapanao shot a 75 (+4) for her third and final round, finishing tied for 14th with a score of 220 (+7). Mapanao joined Ritter with the Illini's third even-par round of the event. Mapanao's t-14th individual finish was her second best as an Illini before last season's t-12th showing at the Spring Break Shootout.
Erica Lee and Victoria Zheng closed the tournament tied for 48th with a 249 (+16), Lee tallied a final round score of 80 (+9) and Zheng a score of 75 (+4).Â
Tavia Burgess, competing individually, had a final round of 78 (+7), finishing 70th with an overall reading of 236 (+23).
Kent State took home the team title at +17 (869), while Iowa State's Pimkwan Chookaew earned individual medalist honors at 5-under (208).
The Fighting Illini will be back in action on Sept. 14, when they head to Madison, Wis., to compete in the Badger Invitational.
