BURLINGTON – The Elon women's golf team opened its 2026 fall season Monday by taking the lead after 36 holes of the Elon Women's Invitational at Alamance Country Club.
 
The Phoenix opened with a 2-under-par 282 before posting a 5-over 289 in the second round for a 3-over-par 571 total. Elon carries an 11-shot advantage over Wofford and Howard, which are tied for second at 14-over 582, into Tuesday's final round. Lilli Downer leads the Phoenix individually in second place at 2-under-par 140 after following an opening-round 72 with a 3-under 68 in the afternoon. Emma Hansen is tied for fourth at even-par 142 after firing a 3-under 68 in the opening round.
 
ROUNDS 1-2 HIGHLIGHTS

• Hansen paced Elon in the opening round with a 3-under 68. She carded six birdies, including three over a four-hole stretch on Nos. 14, 16 and 17, and finished each nine in 34.
• Haley Paramore and Clémence Chouvin each added an even-par 71 in the first round as Elon opened the tournament with a 2-under 282.
• Downer took over as Elon's low scorer in the afternoon with a collegiate-low 18-hole score of 3-under 68. She made an eagle on No. 6 and four birdies to move into second place individually at 2-under 140. Downer trails Western Carolina's Elsa Maren Steinarsdottir (-4) by two shots.
• Hansen followed her opening 68 with a 3-over 74 and enters Tuesday tied for fourth at even-par 142.
• Milagros Giordani posted rounds of 72 and 73 and is tied for ninth at 3-over 145. Paramore also sits in a tie for ninth after rounds of 71 and 74.
• Chouvin is tied for 21st at 6-over 148 following rounds of 71 and 77.
• Competing as an individual, Garland Gould improved by five shots from the first to second round, following a 77 with a 1-over 72. She is tied for 25th at 7-over 149.
• Kelly Zhao, also competing individually, is tied for 51st at 13-over 155 after rounds of 79 and 76.

 
TEAM LEADERBOARD (TOP 5)

Place	Team	To Par	R1	R2	R3	Total
1	Elon	+3	282	289		571
T2	Wofford	+14	291	291		582
T2	Howard	+14	286	296		582
4	Western Carolina	+15	295	288		583
5	William & Mary	+18	293	293		586

 
ELON ON INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD

Place	Name	To Par	R1	R2	R3	Total
2	Lilli Downer	-2	72	68		140
T4	Emma Hansen	E	68	74		142
T9	Haley Paramore	+3	71	74		145
T9	Milagros Giordani	+3	72	73		145
T21	Clémence Chouvin	+6	71	77		148
T25	Garland Gould (I)	+7	77	72		149
T51	Kelly Zhao (I)	+13	79	76		155

 
UP NEXT
Round three begins with an 8:30 a.m. ET shotgun start Tuesday. Elon is grouped with Wofford and Howard.
 
STAY POSTED
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