WESTFIELD, Ind. — With a 9-under par 279 team score Wednesday, Vanderbilt women’s golf has advanced to its second straight NCAA Women’s Golf Championships.
“What a day. These girls came out ready to play today and absolutely put the hammer down. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” said head coach Greg Allen.
Tillie Claggett led the Commodores in the third round, carding seven birdies and one eagle on her way to a 7-under par 65 performance—which was not only the best round from anyone on the course Wednesday but also the best from a Commodore all season. Claggett finished the Westfield Regional tied for ninth place at 5 under.
“What a round by Tillie,” Allen said. “We all knew it was only a matter of time before she had a round like today.”
Virginie Ding also recorded her best score of the event during Wednesday’s final round, finishing with a 3-under par 69 to tie for 17th place individually.
All-SEC First Team selection senior Celina Sattelkau, entering the final round tied for third, remained in the hunt for the individual title all day. However, a late charge by Virginia’s Amanda Sambach and a sustained performance from early leader Julia Lopez Ramirez of Mississippi State was enough for each golfer to take a share crown. Sattelkau finished the Westfield Regional in fourth place individually with a 10-under par total after a 1-under par performance Wednesday.
“What a year Celina continues to have for us. She is really playing some next-level golf,” said Allen. “I also felt like Ginnie was close the last couple of days so it was nice to see her putts start dropping today.”
Lynn Lim and Tess Davenport both notched a 2-over par 74 on their scorecards over the final 18 holes.
SEC foe Mississippi State held onto its lead to win the Westfield Regional with a 19-under-par performance. Oregon State finished in second place at 17-under. Along with third-place Vanderbilt, Virginia (-15) and Tulsa (-9) rounded out the top five schools who will advance to the NCAA Championships later this month.
With its performance this week, Vanderbilt will now move on to the NCAA Championships held at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 19-24. In 2022, the Commodores won the NCAA Franklin Regional and tied for 22nd at the Championships. Although Sattelkau and Davenport competed at last year’s NCAA Championships, the rest of Vanderbilt’s lineup will be there for the first time.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to head to Grayhawk, we will go with a different mindset this year,” said Allen. “Last year we were just happy to be there. This year, we feel like we can earn a spot in match play. And if we can do that, anything can happen!”
