By Lohan Sutton
Making history isn’t easy, and for the Lady Vols, they did it in their first attempt this spring.
The Tennessee women’s golf team claimed its second win of the season at the FAU Paradise Invitational, along with an individual winner and runner-up award.
This marks the program’s first multi-win season in six years and only the second since 2011.
Tennessee took to the course at Osprey Point Golf Course in Boca Raton, Fla., fresh from a winter break spent refocusing and refining the little things, and looked to showcase it in a big way.
Entering the tournament, the Lady Vols ranked No. 24 thanks to an impressive fall season that included a team win at the Visit Knoxville Open and a string of success from rookie golfers.
Round one concluded on Monday with a strong performance by freshman Madison Messimer. With only one bogey, Messimer shot 3-under-par to be tied for the individual lead. The South Carolina native was coming off a strong fall with three top 10 finishes.
The Volunteers found themselves one shot off the lead, trailing only Kentucky. The Wildcats had two players finish round one under-par.
The Lady Vols had a huge second-round performance from sophomore Kyra Van Kan, who finished the day with a bogey-free 7-under-par.
This marked Van Kan’s lowest career round and tied for the fifth-lowest round in program history.
Messimer continued to build on her round one performance. She shot 2-under-par in the second round and put Tennessee one stroke ahead over Kentucky.
Van Kan’s strong second-round performance put her in the solo lead over teammate Messimer.
Going into the final round, the Volunteers were without Martina Lopez-Lanchares in the lineup.
With a one-stroke lead, the Lady Vols needed all four scores to count.
Senior Manassanan Chotikabhukkana would have a strong finish after a slow start in rounds one and two. In the final round, Chotikabhikkana shot 3-under-par to help extend the Volunteers’ lead.
Van Kan also shot 3-under-par in the final round, bringing her tournament score to 10-under-par. This also marked her lowest career tournament score with the Volunteers.
Messimer continued her strong play into round three with a 1-under-par, propelling her into second place and firmly behind her South African teammate.
With the tournament coming down to the wire, Sophie Christopher eagled the last hole to add to Tennessee’s lead and leave no doubt.
As the sun set on Boca Raton, the Lady Vols claimed Paradise Invitational Champions.
This marked the second win of the season and the first two-win season for head coach Diana Cantú.
Tournament Leaderboard:
1. Tennessee, -10
2. Kentucky, -6
3. Clemson, -3
4. Georgia, +4
5. Oklahoma, +5
Van Kan claimed the individual champion honors, with a final score of 10-under-par. This is her first win and best finish with the program.
Madison Messimer claimed the runner-up honors, with a final score of 6-under-par. This was her best career finish with the program and her fourth top-10 finish of the season.
Tennessee Leaderboard:
1. Kyra Van Kan, -10
2. Madison Messimer, -6
T-11. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana, -1
T-11. Kaopan Thapasit (IND), -1
40. Sophie Christopher, +2
89. Martina Lopez-Lanchares, DNF
With an entire spring season to go, the Lady Vols set their sights on higher goals as they continue to crush expectations this season under the direction of Cantú.
The Lady Vols head back to Florida to compete in the Moon Golf Invitational, Feb. 15-17, at Suntree Country Club.