The New York University Women's Golf Team completed its two-day dominance at the St. Lawrence University Invitational in Canton, NY, which was held September 4-5. After shooting a program-record 281 on Saturday, the Violets followed that up with a second-round score of 290 on Sunday.
NYU's overall score of 571 also set the team's 36-hole tournament record. The old mark of 581 was also set at St. Lawrence in 2019.
The Violets finished 52 strokes ahead of second-place SUNY Cortland in the six-team competition.
"Our team really stepped up and picked each other up throughout the day," said Head Coach
Katie Rudolph. "They turned in scores to be proud of. Our women can really play."
Freshman
Madison Phung (Frisco, TX/Lebanon Trail), after shooting a three-under-par 69 on Saturday, completed her collegiate debut with a 73 on Sunday and collected the individual title. Her eagle on the 36th hole tied her with teammate
Michelle Zhou (Southlake, TX/Carroll) and gave her the scorecard playoff victory. Zhou shot the tournament's lowest round (71) on Sunday. Their two-day totals of 142 tied the duo with Navika Kuchakulla for the best 36-hole tournament score in program annals.
"Madison winning is a really big deal," Rudolph added. "Sleeping on the lead as an individual makes for a nerve-racking night, and it's really exciting for her to come out on top."
The Violets captured the top-five individual spots, with
Nalinda Wanikpun (Bangkok, Thailand/Loomis Chaffee School) taking third place one stroke behind the leaders (70-73, 143). She was followed by
Camilla Chung (San Francisco, CA/St. Ignatian College Prep) in fourth place (71-78, 149) and
Mimi Chen (Lake Mary, FL/Lake Mary Prep) (78-73, 151) in fifth.
"It was very surreal," Phung admitted. "I was working very hard for this moment. I'm glad I was able to show up and make it all worth it. I knew I was ready to play well and represent NYU. I know what I'm capable of. I struggled a bit entering the tournament, but ultimately I just knew that I would be able to pull through."
NYU returns to action next weekend for the Hamilton College Invitational in Clinton, NY, on Saturday and Sunday, September 11-12.
