University of Tennessee Athletics
Wednesday, May 13
Waco, Texas
University of Tennessee
vs
NCAA Regional - Round 3
No. 16 Lady Vols Clinch Second Consecutive NCAA Championship Berth
May 13, 2026 | Women's Golf
WACO, Texas – A historic season rolls on for the No. 16 Tennessee women's golf team after a dramatic finish to the Waco Regional on Wednesday.
Behind a seven-stroke comeback on the back nine, Tennessee advanced to its second consecutive NCAA Championship appearance and the 16th in program history. The NCAA Championships are set to be contested at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course in Carlsbad, California, from May 22 through May 27.
The Lady Vols entered the day on the outside looking in of a top five position, which was needed to advance from the Waco Regional. To compound an adverse opening position, Tennessee struggled out of the gate in round three, shooting 4-over-par on the opening nine.
The comeback began at the turn for Tennessee, as the Lady Vols went 6-under-par on the final nine holes of the day. Hole No. 13 was a key turning point, as four out of five Tennessee golfers posted birdie on the 370-yard par 4.
Clutch putts down the stretch erased the deficit, as Tennessee fired a 1-under-par 279 in round three to conclude the 54 holes tied with Tulsa at 7-over-par. A playoff hole featuring all five golfers on each team was held to break the deadlock with the Golden Hurricanes.
Sophie Christopher and Kyra Van Kan notched birdies on the playoff hole as the Lady Vols finished the playoff hole with a three-stroke lead and punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships.
Van Kan closed the tournament as Tennessee's best individual finisher, firing a 2-under-par 68 to end at 3-under-par. After a bogey on hole No. 1, the sophomore All-SEC Second Team selection went bogey-free with three birdies on her final 17 holes. Van Kan nailed a clutch up-and-down par on hole No. 18 to force the playoff and tie for eighth place individually.
After going 3-over-par on the opening 12 holes of round three, Manassanan Chotikabhukkana found a new gear to extend her collegiate career. The senior carded four birdies on her final six holes, including back-to-back birdies on hole No. 17 and hole No. 18, the latter of which was from nearly 30 feet to pull even with Tulsa. With a 1-under-par 69 in round three, Chotikabhukkana closed the Waco Regional tied for 24th place at 3-over-par.
Christopher remained consistent for the Lady Vols in round three, earning a 1-over-par 71. After bogeys on three of her first four holes, the sophomore went bogey free on her final 14 holes of the day. At 1-over-par for the tournament, Christopher tied for 15th place.
Madison Messimer posted Tennessee's final countable score in round three with a 1-over-par 71. The SEC Freshman of the Year went 1-under-par on the back nine to contribute to the Lady Vols' furious comeback. At 6-over-par for the tournament, Messimer tied for 33rd place among the 68 golfers competing.
Next up for the Lady Vols are the NCAA Championships, which are slated for May 22 through May 27 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course in Carlsbad, California.
Waco Regional Results (Final)
1. SMU (-17)
2. Texas A&M (-11)
3. Baylor (E)
4. LSU (+1)
5. Tennessee (+7)
6. Tulsa (+7)
7. Oregon (+9)
8. TCU (+14)
9. Colorado (+34)
10. Tarleton State (+37)
11. Prairie View A&M (+99)
12. Northern Arizona (N/A)
Tennessee Results (Final)
T-8. Kyra Van Kan: 66-73-68 = 207 (-3)
T-15. Sophie Christopher: 70-70-71 = 211 (+1)
T-24. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana: 75-69-69 = 213 (+3)
T-33. Madison Messimer: 71-74-71 = 216 (+6)
63. Sofie Engesaeth: X-75-74 = 149 (+9)
66. Kaopan Thapasit: 75-X-X = 75 (+5)
Behind a seven-stroke comeback on the back nine, Tennessee advanced to its second consecutive NCAA Championship appearance and the 16th in program history. The NCAA Championships are set to be contested at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course in Carlsbad, California, from May 22 through May 27.
The Lady Vols entered the day on the outside looking in of a top five position, which was needed to advance from the Waco Regional. To compound an adverse opening position, Tennessee struggled out of the gate in round three, shooting 4-over-par on the opening nine.
The comeback began at the turn for Tennessee, as the Lady Vols went 6-under-par on the final nine holes of the day. Hole No. 13 was a key turning point, as four out of five Tennessee golfers posted birdie on the 370-yard par 4.
Clutch putts down the stretch erased the deficit, as Tennessee fired a 1-under-par 279 in round three to conclude the 54 holes tied with Tulsa at 7-over-par. A playoff hole featuring all five golfers on each team was held to break the deadlock with the Golden Hurricanes.
Sophie Christopher and Kyra Van Kan notched birdies on the playoff hole as the Lady Vols finished the playoff hole with a three-stroke lead and punched their ticket to the NCAA Championships.
Van Kan closed the tournament as Tennessee's best individual finisher, firing a 2-under-par 68 to end at 3-under-par. After a bogey on hole No. 1, the sophomore All-SEC Second Team selection went bogey-free with three birdies on her final 17 holes. Van Kan nailed a clutch up-and-down par on hole No. 18 to force the playoff and tie for eighth place individually.
After going 3-over-par on the opening 12 holes of round three, Manassanan Chotikabhukkana found a new gear to extend her collegiate career. The senior carded four birdies on her final six holes, including back-to-back birdies on hole No. 17 and hole No. 18, the latter of which was from nearly 30 feet to pull even with Tulsa. With a 1-under-par 69 in round three, Chotikabhukkana closed the Waco Regional tied for 24th place at 3-over-par.
Christopher remained consistent for the Lady Vols in round three, earning a 1-over-par 71. After bogeys on three of her first four holes, the sophomore went bogey free on her final 14 holes of the day. At 1-over-par for the tournament, Christopher tied for 15th place.
Madison Messimer posted Tennessee's final countable score in round three with a 1-over-par 71. The SEC Freshman of the Year went 1-under-par on the back nine to contribute to the Lady Vols' furious comeback. At 6-over-par for the tournament, Messimer tied for 33rd place among the 68 golfers competing.
Next up for the Lady Vols are the NCAA Championships, which are slated for May 22 through May 27 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa's Champions Course in Carlsbad, California.
Waco Regional Results (Final)
1. SMU (-17)
2. Texas A&M (-11)
3. Baylor (E)
4. LSU (+1)
5. Tennessee (+7)
6. Tulsa (+7)
7. Oregon (+9)
8. TCU (+14)
9. Colorado (+34)
10. Tarleton State (+37)
11. Prairie View A&M (+99)
12. Northern Arizona (N/A)
Tennessee Results (Final)
T-8. Kyra Van Kan: 66-73-68 = 207 (-3)
T-15. Sophie Christopher: 70-70-71 = 211 (+1)
T-24. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana: 75-69-69 = 213 (+3)
T-33. Madison Messimer: 71-74-71 = 216 (+6)
63. Sofie Engesaeth: X-75-74 = 149 (+9)
66. Kaopan Thapasit: 75-X-X = 75 (+5)
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
WGolf | Diana Cantú | NCAA Championships - Round Three (5.18.25)
Sunday, May 18
WGolf | Bailey Davis | NCAA Championships - Round One (5.16.25)
Friday, May 16
WGolf | Diana Cantú | NCAA Championships - Round One (5.16.25)
Friday, May 16
WGolf | Diana Cantú Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Round One (10.20.24)
Sunday, October 20
