Women's Golf Wins Team Title at 2025 Nittany Lion InvitationalWomen's Golf Wins Team Title at 2025 Nittany Lion Invitational
Mark Selders

Women's Golf Wins Team Title at 2025 Nittany Lion Invitational

Freshman Audrey Lam, sophomore Jiratchaya Jiratthitinun finish fourth and seventh, respectively, to pace four Nittany Lions in Top-20

Author John Hanna

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – In a back-and-forth final round which saw multiple lead changes between four teams, the Penn State women's golf team regained their Nittany Lion Invitational Crown after a two-year hiatus ekeing out a one-stroke victory over the charging Delaware Blue Hens.

The team championship marks the first in the head coaching career for Kristen Simpson. It also marks the 26th for the Nittany Lions and it comes in the 49th installment of their home tournament while becoming their sixth Nittany Lion Invitational title in the last 10 years, but the first since the 2022 event.

“Today was a big step forward for this young team, it was a confidence-building performance, and the sky's the limit for them.”

Kristen SimpsonHead Coach
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Following a bogey on the par-3 17th, freshman Audrey Lam went pin-seeking on 18 and even after clipping some leaves she stuck one within a few feet for a tap in birdie which ultimately secured the team championship for the Nittany Lions.

“My layup [on 18] brought the greenside tree slightly into play and my nerves started to show,” mentioned Lam. “However, I calmed myself down and decided to attack the pin knowing the ball may clip the tree, but it won’t affect the trajectory too much. My shot struck a few leaves, but fortunately landed three feet from the pin for the easy tap-in.”

Lam opened the week with back-to-back rounds in red figures carding a pair of 1-under, 71’s, on Sunday before registering a final round 1-over, 73.

Lam finished the week as one of just five players in red figures at 1-under, 215, registering her first collegiate top-5 finish in a tie for fourth, just four strokes behind Yale’s Mia Sessa who earned individual medalist honors at 5-under, 211.

The Nittany Lions finished the week 14-over, 878, one shot clear of Delaware (15-over), two strokes ahead of Yale (16-over) and three shots better than Maryland (17-over) as those four played leapfrog all day with Navy rounded out the top five at 29-over for the week.

“Every drive, every putt, every cheer, this win belongs to all of us,” Lam concluded.

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The Nittany Lions best round came during the second 18 on Sunday as Lam’s 1-under, 71, and sophomore Jiratchaya Jiratthitinun’s 2-under, 70, paced the team to a 1-over, 289. Jiratthitinun finished the week tied for seventh at 3-over, 219, as Penn State saw four players finish inside the top-20 in the 90-player field.

“This win was a total team effort, and I’m so proud of them all. The girls did a great job of staying in the moment and battling through each hole. They faced adversity, but just kept fighting,” Simpson remarked. “Today was a big step forward for this young team, it was a confidence-building performance, and the sky's the limit for them.”

“Audrey and Yaya had amazing top-10 performances and each of their birdies down the stretch were absolutely clutch in helping us secure the victory.”

Freshman Mara King sandwiched a 73 between a pair of 74’s for a 5-over, 221, finish and a tie for 17th in her collegiate debut while sophomore Lauren Thompstone finished one-shot back and in a tie for 19th at 6-over, 222, playing the week as an individual.

Freshman Hannah Rabb bookended the tournament with a pair of 74’s with a 75 sandwiched between to finish the week tied for 23rd at 7-over, 223, while classmate Lillian Guleserian ended the week with back-to-back rounds of 3-over, 75, to move into a tie for 36th at 11-over, 227.

Also playing the week as individuals, sophomore Gwendolyn Powell and senior Myranda Quinton rounded out the scoring at 19-over and 20-over, respectively.

“Getting our first win in front of so many great friends, family, and alumni made this week even more special. The community support was amazing, as always! It’s also extra meaningful to return to the winner’s circle at the Nittany lion Invitational, a tournament we have a long tradition of winning,” concluded Simpson.

Full results can be found HERE.

Following another week off, Penn State travels to a new destination this year making the trip south to Knoxville, Tennessee to compete in the Mercedes Benz Collegiate hosted by the University of Tennessee on October 5-7.