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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Iowa women’s golf team closes out season with 12th-place finish at Big Ten Championships

Third-year Ximena Benites led the way for the Hawkeyes with a career-low first round.
Lauren Reed, Sports Reporter
April 26, 2026
John Charlson
A golfer makes a putt on the green during the Diane Thomason Invitational at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. The Hawkeyes are trailing in third place behind South Dakota and Montana State, after the first round of three at the two-day tournament. Iowa’s Ximena Benites leads the team at two under par.

The Iowa women’s golf team travelled to Glendale, California, this past weekend to compete in the Big Ten Championships. The Hawkeyes competed at Oakmont Country Club, finishing in 12th place among an 18-team field to round out their season. 

In round one, third-year Ximena Benites led the way with a career low, finishing 2-under-par 68. She finished in tied for eighth individually, tallying three birdies and recording one single bogey throughout her 18 holes. 

Concluding the second round, fourth-year Riley Lewis was at the top for the Hawkeyes, shooting a 3-over-par 73. Lewis was consistent throughout the tournament, shooting 73 on all three rounds of competition. 

Following the final round of the season for the Hawkeyes, Lewis finished tied for 22nd place individually. Benites followed shortly behind, finishing in 29th. Third-year teammate Maura Peters finished 50th, Lily Huether finished 84th, and Kaitlyn Hanna finished 90th. 

The University of Southern California took medalist honors, shooting a 4 under overall. Jasmine Koo, a second-year from USC, won the tournament with a 3-under total score. 

The Hawkeyes did not have a strong enough performance to obtain a regional bid, ending their 2025-2026 season. The team is graduating four seniors, Riley Lewis, Hanna, Shannyn Vogler, and Adie Maki.