SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf finished strong and finished ninth in the 2025-26 opening Payne Stewart Memorial in Springfield, Missouri. The tournament was hosted by Missouri State University at Twin Oaks Country Club.
Day 1 (36 holes):
USI was 10th of the 11 teams after the first day of the tournament, following a two-round 637 (317-320). The Screaming Eagles were ninth after the first 18 holes but dropped back to 10th following round two. Sophomore Fernanda Vera and graduate Valeria Lopez led the Eagles with each posting a two-round 154 (77-77). Vera and Lopez were tied for 32nd after the first 36 holes.
Day 2 (18 holes):
The Eagles improved 12 strokes, as a team, in the final round to return to the ninth with a 308 in the third 18 holes. Vera and junior Tora Timinsky tied for the team lead in the third round, each posting a 76. Freshman McKenna Lowe followed with a 78.
Final Results:
The Eagles shot a three-round 945 (317-320-308) as a team, finishing ninth ahead of Oklahoma City University (10th) and Western Illinois University (11th). Missouri State won its home tournament with an 866 (287-288-291).
Individually, Vera tied for 31st overall with a 54-hole score of 230 (77-77-76). She had 10 birdies during the tournament.
Lopez was close behind, tying for 35th with a 232 (77-77-78), while sophomore Brianna Kirsch was nine strokes back with a 241 (80-81-80) to place 53rd. Timinsky and Lowe rounded out the Eagles, placing 55th and 58th, respectively. Timinsky shot a 244 (83-85-76), while Lowe rounded out USI’s five with a 250 (85-87-78).
NEXT UP FOR USI:
USI continues the 2025-26 fall season September 15-16 by playing in The Velvet, hosted by Murray State University at Country Club of Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky. The Eagles finished 13th a year ago at The Velvet and return four of the five players who scored in the tournament.
