No. 7 Auburn University’s women’s golf team secured a win at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida, finishing with a total score of 840 (-24) over three rounds at Eagle Creek Golf Club. Senior Katie Cranston claimed her first collegiate individual title with a score of 207 (-9), winning by one stroke.
Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen commented on the team’s performance: “Love starting the season with a team and individual win. The mindset going out for three holes was ideal. They went out there with such a great plan and executed beautifully. Thrilled for Katie and her first win. She was unflappable mentally through wind and cold. Also had great showings from Molly and Charlotte with high finishes. Our team is so competitive, and it’s making everyone better.”
Cranston maintained consistent play throughout the tournament, shooting 3-under 69 in each round, tying for most birdies in the field with 13, and playing par-5 holes at 6-under par.
The Auburn team finished four strokes ahead of Mississippi State, recording rounds of 8-under, 10-under, and 6-under across the three days. Auburn led all teams in par-5 scoring at 23-under and made a total of 45 birdies along with two eagles.
Molly Brown Davidson tied for fourth place individually at 209 (-7), marking her best finish this season. Freshman Charlotte Cantonis tied for tenth at 211 (-5), achieving her third top-10 finish this year after closing with a final-round score of 68 (-4). Anna Davis tied for fourteenth at 213 (-3), while Carys Worby finished tied for thirty-fifth at 219 (+3).
Competing as individuals, Anne Fernandez tied for seventeenth place at even-par (216), highlighted by a second-round score of 69 (-3). Frances Brown also played as an individual and finished tied for sixty-first at eight-over (224).
This victory marks Auburn’s third event win this season, following successes at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational and Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational.
The Tigers are scheduled to compete next from February 15 to February 17 at the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Florida.
