ELON – The Elon women's golf team put itself in title contention at its annual, season-opening Elon Invitational by shooting 2-over-par 570 through 36 holes played Monday at Alamance Country Club. The Phoenix will enter Tuesday's third and final round with a share of the lead alongside James Madison and take aim at its first Elon Invitational crown since 2022.
A tight race at the top of the leaderboard has Radford (+5), Longwood (+6) and Wofford (+7) close behind the Phoenix and Dukes.
Three Phoenix are among the top 14 individually, led by senior
Ashley Lafontaine, who turned on the jets in the second round with a 3-under 68 after carding a 73 through the first 18 holes. Lafontaine – who won Elon Invitational individual medalist honors in 2022 – caught fire with a 4-under back nine in the second round to finish her day just three strokes behind clubhouse leader Mckenzie Weddle of Radford.
Sophomore
Emma Hansen provided first-round fireworks with two eagles on holes 6 and 17 to notch a 1-under 70. She shot a 73 in the second round but still finds herself in a tie for 12th individually. Freshman
Lilli Downer is close behind in a tie for 14th after shooting 71-73 (144, +2) in her collegiate debut.
Annie Wu (T31, +5) and
Kelly Zhao (T35, +6) rounded out Elon's lineup, while
Sakura Kawakami (T49, +9) and
Lara Rieke (T61, +13) played as individuals.
TEAM LEADERBOARD (TOP 5)
| Place |
Team |
To Par |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
Total |
| T1 |
Elon |
+2 |
286 |
284 |
|
570 |
| T1 |
James Madison |
+2 |
283 |
287 |
|
570 |
| 3 |
Radford |
+5 |
287 |
286 |
|
573 |
| 4 |
Longwood |
+6 |
287 |
287 |
|
574 |
| 5 |
Wofford |
+7 |
288 |
287 |
|
575 |
ELON ON INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD
* Playing as an individual
UP NEXT
The Phoenix will play the third and final round alongside James Madison (T1, +2) and Radford (3rd, +5) with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. ET.
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon women's golf, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonGolf) and Instagram (ElonWGolf).
