Wang, Illini make history with Big Ten women's golf title
Apr. 23—PITTSBURGH — Crystal Wang turned in a dominating performance — including a final-round 62 — to lead Illinois to its first Big Ten women's golf championship on Sunday.
The unranked Illini capped a stunning weekend run at Fox Chapel Golf Club, holding off Northwestern and Ohio State to bring the team trophy back to campus in coach Renee Slone's 17th year.
A huge congratulations to @IlliniWGolf on their @bigten conference title! AWESOME!!! pic.twitter.com/SiUIAHwKI5
— Mike Small (@MikeSmall4) April 23, 2023
Wang finished 12-under with rounds of 71-68-62 to become the Illini's first Big Ten individual champion since Slone in '93. The fifth-year senior from California was at her best when it counted most, finishing 9-under on Sunday. It was the lowest winning score in a 54-hole Big Ten match, and Wang's 62 marked the best round ever in the conference championships.
The Illini won by three strokes, getting strong outings from fourth-place finisher Isabel Sy, Lexanne Halama (30th) and Siyan Chen (34th). Illinois shot 3-over as a team Sunday after entering the final round trailing Ohio State by one stroke. The Buckeyes shot 10-over as a team to fall to third, with Northwestern's 3-over moving the Wildcats into second place.
Wang started Sunday's round strong with four consecutive birdies. She added a fifth birdie on No. 7 and then four more on the back nine to finish off her record round. It was the Diamond Bar, Calif., native's second win of the season and her career. The final-round 62 was also a career record for Wang.
Next up for Illinois is the NCAA regional. Regional action runs from May 8-10, with the selection show airing at noon Wednesday on the Golf Channel. The six regional sites are University of Georgia Golf Course (Athens, Ga.), PGA National Resort (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), Palouse Ridge Golf Club (Pullman, Wash.), Lonnie Poole Golf Course (Raleigh, N.C.), TPC San Antonio (San Antonio) and The Club at Chatham Hills (Westfield, Ind.).
