University of Illinois
Badger Invitational
Illini Finish 7th at Badger Invitational in Madison
September 15, 2026 | Women's Golf
Recap
MADISON, Wis. – The Illini wrapped up the Badger Invitational on Tuesday, shooting a final-round 291 (+3) at University Ridge Golf Course to complete their second tournament of the fall. Illinois carded team rounds of 300-294-291 for a final reading of 885 (+21) to finish in seventh place.
Iowa State (-7) won the Badger Invitational team title with Northwestern (-3) in second and the event-host Badgers (+7) taking third. Iowa (+14), Notre Dame (+16), Michigan (+17), Illinois (+21), Boise State (+28), Washington State (+29), Delaware (+38), Colorado State (+40), FIU (+40), New Mexico State (+46), WKU (+48), Sam Houston (+67), and Bradley (+68) rounded out the team finishes.
As a team, Illinois' scoring average of 4.15 on par 4s ranked fourth across the field. The Fighting Illini's 33 birdies ranked seventh while the squad's 174 holes at par tied for fifth-best.
Sofia Vargas led the way for the Fighting Illini in the third round, turning in an even-par 72 featuring a pair of front-nine birdies. Vargas surged 16 spots up the leaderboard to finish tied for 33rd overall at 9-over (225). The Illini junior has finished at or below-par in four of six rounds to open the year.
Alexis Myers and Erica Lee turned in Illinois' top finished at the event, both closing out the tournament tied for 16th individually at 5-over (221). Myers posted a 1-over 73 in her final round to secure her top finish of the season. Lee matched Myers' mark of 73 (+1), using an early birdie on the par-4 first hole to help secure her top-20 finish. The Illini senior has finished t-16th at both tournaments to open the 2026-27 campaign.
Meadow Tian carded a 1-over 73 on Tuesday, making a big final-day jump as she climbed 19 spots up the leaderboard to finish tied for 38th at 10-over (226).
Eileen Lee posted a 3-over 75 across her final 18 holes and finish tied for 65th at 16-over (232).
Competing as an individual, Tavia Burgess carded a final-round 77 (+5) to wrap up the tournament tied for 45th with an 11-over 227 overall.
Next time out, the Fighting Illini will head to The Windy City Classic in Glencoe, Illinois, from Oct. 5-6.
| Place | Badger Invitational | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th | Illinois | 300 (+12) | 294 (+6) | 291 (+3) | 885 (+21) |
| T-16th | Alexis Myers | 74 (+2) | 73 (+1) | 73 (+1) | 220 (+4) |
| T-16th | Erica Lee | 73 (+1) | 74 (+2) | 73 (+1) | 220 (+4) |
| T-33rd | Sofia Vargas | 79 (+7) | 73 (+1) | 72 (E) | 224 (+8) |
| T-38th | Meadow Tian | 79 (+7) | 74 (+2) | 73 (+1) | 226 (+10) |
| T-65th | Eileen Lee | 74 (+2) | 83 (+11) | 75 (+3) | 232 (+16) |
| T-45th | Tavia Burgess (IND) | 77 (+5) | 73 (+1) | 77 (+5) | 227 (+11) |
