Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Li, Nguyen Lead Final-Round Surge For ‘Cats At UCF Challenge
2/6/2024 9:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Northwestern shares fourth on team leaderboard, three Wildcats place inside top 15
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 6, 2024) – Led by standout final-round showings from Jieni Li and Lauryn Nguyen, the Northwestern University women's golf team earned a share of fourth place as the Wildcats opened their spring season at the UFC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
The 'Cats used a team tally of 282 during Monday's final round at the par-72, 6,367-yard Eagle Creek Golf Club to finish alongside the host Knights (290-284-282) and the College of Charleston (282-289-285) with a 54-hole total of 856 (290-284-282). North Carolina (279-280-287=846) secured the team title, while Texas Tech's Lauren Zaretsky carded a 13-under-par 203 (64-71-68) to claim individual medalist honors.
After turning in back-to-back rounds of 72 to open play, Li saved her best for the event's final round. The Hangzhou, China native piled up seven birdies, five of which came on the front nine, en route to tying her 18-hole career low with a four-under-par 68 that saw her finish as part of a tie for 12th place with a four-under-par 212 (72-72-68).
Nguyen joined Li in the 60s on Monday, firing a three-under-par 69 that was highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-three 11th hole. The Seattle, Wash. product closed play with a three-under-par 213 (73-71-69) to earn a share of 14th. Finishing alongside Nguyen was Jennifer Cai, who carded a team-low two-under-par 70 during Saturday's opening round on the way to a 213 (70-72-71) of her own.
Ashley Yun turned in one of her top 18-hole efforts of 2023-24 during second-round action, firing a three-under-par 69 as she ultimately tied for 45th at 219 (76-69-74), while Jiayi Wang posted a 230 (75-77-78) to place 89th.
WILDCAT LINEUP (T-4th; 290-284-282=856)
T-12th – Jieni Li (72-72-68=212)
T-14th – Lauryn Nguyen (73-71-69=213)
T-14th – Jennifer Cai (70-72-71=213)
T-45th – Ashley Yun (76-69-74=219)
89th – Jiayi Wang (75-77-78=230)
UP NEXT
Northwestern is back in action in just under two weeks, February 18-20, when it returns to The Sunshine State for the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Fla.
The 'Cats used a team tally of 282 during Monday's final round at the par-72, 6,367-yard Eagle Creek Golf Club to finish alongside the host Knights (290-284-282) and the College of Charleston (282-289-285) with a 54-hole total of 856 (290-284-282). North Carolina (279-280-287=846) secured the team title, while Texas Tech's Lauren Zaretsky carded a 13-under-par 203 (64-71-68) to claim individual medalist honors.
After turning in back-to-back rounds of 72 to open play, Li saved her best for the event's final round. The Hangzhou, China native piled up seven birdies, five of which came on the front nine, en route to tying her 18-hole career low with a four-under-par 68 that saw her finish as part of a tie for 12th place with a four-under-par 212 (72-72-68).
Nguyen joined Li in the 60s on Monday, firing a three-under-par 69 that was highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-three 11th hole. The Seattle, Wash. product closed play with a three-under-par 213 (73-71-69) to earn a share of 14th. Finishing alongside Nguyen was Jennifer Cai, who carded a team-low two-under-par 70 during Saturday's opening round on the way to a 213 (70-72-71) of her own.
Ashley Yun turned in one of her top 18-hole efforts of 2023-24 during second-round action, firing a three-under-par 69 as she ultimately tied for 45th at 219 (76-69-74), while Jiayi Wang posted a 230 (75-77-78) to place 89th.
WILDCAT LINEUP (T-4th; 290-284-282=856)
T-12th – Jieni Li (72-72-68=212)
T-14th – Lauryn Nguyen (73-71-69=213)
T-14th – Jennifer Cai (70-72-71=213)
T-45th – Ashley Yun (76-69-74=219)
89th – Jiayi Wang (75-77-78=230)
UP NEXT
Northwestern is back in action in just under two weeks, February 18-20, when it returns to The Sunshine State for the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Fla.
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