Auburn claimed the team title at the UCF Challenge presented by PDI, finishing at 24-under par 840 to edge out Mississippi State by four strokes. Katie Crantson of Auburn earned medalist honors with a nine-under par 207. The three-day event at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando featured 16 teams and concluded on January 27 after a weather-related format shift.
The UCF Challenge presented by PDI marked the start of the spring season for several women's college golf teams, held at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Florida. Due to inclement weather, the tournament adjusted its schedule, beginning the third round on Monday afternoon and wrapping up the final holes on Tuesday morning, January 27, 2026.
No. 7-ranked Auburn dominated the 16-team field, posting rounds of 280, 278, and 282 for a total of 840, 24 under par. They finished four strokes ahead of No. 18 Mississippi State, which scored 844 (20 under) with rounds of 281, 280, and 283. Host No. 12 UCF took third place at 849 (15 under) after rounds of 283, 282, and 284.
Other notable team finishes included Baylor in fourth at 854 (10 under), Penn State fifth at 859 (5 under), and USF sixth at 861 (3 under). Florida Gulf Coast placed seventh at 865 (1 over), followed by No. 24 Kent State at 869 (5 over), Nebraska at 877 (13 over), and South Alabama at 885 (21 over). North Florida finished 11th at 890 (26 over), Abilene Christian 12th at 895 (31 over), East Carolina 13th at 898 (34 over), Charlotte 14th at 899 (35 over), Northern Illinois 15th at 902 (38 over), and Old Dominion 16th at 913 (49 over).
Auburn's Katie Crantson secured individual medalist honors with a 207 (9 under), one stroke better than Mississippi State's Avery Weed and UCF's Mila Jurine, both at 208. For Old Dominion, sophomore Barbara Car led the team, tying for 24th at 217 (1 over) with rounds of 72, 72, and 73. Teammate Puneet Bajwa tied for 61st at 224 (8 over), while Alina Shchepteva tied for 83rd at 232 (16 over). Mariana Arronte placed 93rd at 242 (26 over), Ludovica Girola 94th at 244 (28 over), and individual competitor Julia Rafter 95th at 246 (30 over).
Charlotte's Chaisilprungruang posted a strong final round, contributing to the 49ers' 14th-place finish. Abilene Christian ended 12th, with their next event set for the West Texas Classic on March 2-3 at Abilene Country Club. Old Dominion will next compete at the Momentum Transportation UNF Collegiate on February 23-24 in Jacksonville, Florida.
