It was a record-breaking day for freshman
Jiayi Fu as
the #5-ranked New York University women's golf team competed against the nation's best at the Tartan Invitational, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University at the Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, PA.
Fu, competing in just her fourth collegiate event, set the NYU program record by shooting seven-under-par 65 on Tuesday. Following up on her one-under 71 on Monday, the two-day total of 136 also set a program record and lifted Fu into first place in the 84-person field.
She entered Tuesday's second round in a tie for 11th place.
"You never know if you are going to win until the last putt drops," Fu said. "But, today I putted with more confidence and my approach shots were closer to the hole."
Fu outlasted Emory University's Carys Code to take the title by one stroke.
"It feels like a dream," Fu added.
Fu's performance helped lead NYU to a second-place finish in the 16-team competition. The Violets (-11) only trailed #2-ranked Emory (-19) and finished ahead of top-ranked Carnegie Mellon (-5) and #3 Washington University in St. Louis (-2).
"We were going up against the best teams in the country," said Head Coach
Brad Johnson. "And Jiayi was outstanding today. She has played lights-out during our practices, and I knew this type of performance from her when it counted was just a matter of time."
Fu had strong support from her teammates.
Inha Jun was a top-10 finisher (8th,-4) and
Naomi Tan secured a top-20 spot (16th, E).
Tiya Chowdary and
Sonia Hao just missed the top-20, both tying for 21st place at +4.
"I just love this team. Everyone is so supportive," Fu explained. "Just like family."