Xu Triumphs in Thrilling Creek Showdown: A Standout Debut for Columbia University Athletics

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware — Kristina Xu, a first-year golfer at Columbia University, clinched the individual title at the season-opening Battle at the Creek tournament. The event unfolded over three rounds at Kings Creek Country Club on Monday and Tuesday.

Hailing from Claremont, California, Xu posted impressive scores of 72, 72, and 74, finishing with a total of 5-over-par 218. Her strong performance included five birdies on Monday, and she maintained her momentum in the final round, where she had 15 pars and only three bogeys. This consistent play helped her achieve the best score in the final round, allowing her to surpass competitors Jessie Burch from Sacred Heart and Joelle Johnson from Bucknell.

This victory marks an important milestone for the Lions; it’s the first individual tournament win since Jackie Chuyla shared first place at the 2015 Cardinal Cup and is the first solo win since Chuyla’s triumph at the River Landing Classic.

Columbia’s team also performed well, finishing second with a total score of +49. The competition was tight with Bucknell at +47, and the two teams traded places throughout the event.

Sophomore Sarah Shao excelled alongside Xu, finishing tied for third at +9 in her season debut. Christine Chang, who set a new single-season stroke average record for the program last year, started strong with a tie for 17th, while Emily Luo (+24) and Yoko Tai (+27) finished in the top 30 and top 40, respectively.

The Lions also had support from their second team, featuring newcomers Bridget Chantharath and Camille Thai, along with senior Emma Shen and junior Lauren Lee. Chantharath made a noteworthy debut, tying for 12th at +16, while Thai landed in the top 20 at +19.

Looking ahead, Columbia will compete again next Monday and Tuesday at the Red Bandanna Invitational, hosted by Boston College at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton, Massachusetts.

Tracking women’s golf—especially at the collegiate level—shows an increased interest recently, with more women entering the sport. According to a 2022 National Golf Foundation report, participation in women’s golf has risen by 45% in the last decade. This growth highlights the importance of support for young female athletes, both in schools and in community programs.

For the latest updates, Columbia women’s golf fans can find them on Facebook, X, and Instagram or visit GoColumbiaLions.com.

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