University of Illinois
Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah
Illini Tied for First after Day 1 from Medinah
October 12, 2026 | Women's Golf
MEDINAH, Ill. – Illinois women's golf is tied for first place after the opening day of the Illini Women's Invitational at Medinah, carding a team total of 560 (-16) through 36 holes from the Medinah Country Club. Action is being held on Course #2 from Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 12-13.
Sofia Vargas led the way for the Fighting Illini, finishing the day in second place at 134 (-10). Vargas opened with a 67 (-5) before firing another 67 (-5) in the second round, putting her three strokes off the individual lead. Vargas carded an eagle on the par-4 14th hole in the opening round and connected on a second eagle in the following round on the par-5 seventh hole. She birdied 10 more holes across Monday's play.
Erica Lee sits tied for 14th at 140 (-4) after posting rounds of 70 (-2) and 70 (-2). Lee birdied her first hole of the day and worked under par for the remainder of the opening round. In the second round, the Illini senior recorded pars on the first three holes before carding birdies on four of the next five holes.
Meadow Tian and Alexis Myers are tied for 23rd at 145 (-1). Tian and Myers each carded rounds of 70 (-2) and 73 (+1) on the opening day from Medinah. Tian has registered 29 holes at par, the second-most by an individual in the field.
Tavia Burgess rounded out the Illinois lineup, and is tied for 45th at 146 (+2) after recording rounds of 73 (+1) and 73 (+1).
Competing as individuals, Eileen Lee is tied for 29th at even par (144), while Lisa Copeland sits tied for 52nd at 147 (+3) and Helen Liu is tied for 70th at 151 (+7).
The Illini opened the tournament with a team score of 277 (-11) before carding a 283 (-5) in the second round to finish the day at 560 (-16), tied with Indiana and Missouri atop the team leaderboard. Illinois' 11-under reading in the first round was the best mark in the 15-team field. The Orange and Blue are one of five teams to score under par in both of Monday's rounds.
As a team, Illinois leads the field in par-5 scoring average at 4.70 and shares the lead with Maryland on par 4s with a mark of 3.90. The Illini also lead all squads in eagles (2) pars (124), and fewest bogeys (19), while ranking third in birdies (33).
The Illini will return to Medinah Country Club for the final round on Tuesday, with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. CT.
| Place | Illini Women's Invitational | R1 | R2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-1st | Illinois | 277 (-11) | 283 (-5) | 560 (-16) |
| 2nd | Sofia Vargas | 67 (-5) | 67 (-5) | 134 (-10) |
| T-14th | Erica Lee | 70 (-2) | 70 (-2) | 140 (-4) |
| T-23rd | Alexis Myers | 70 (-2) | 73 (+1) | 143 (-1) |
| T-23rd | Meadow Tian | 70 (-2) | 73 (+1) | 143 (-1) |
| T-45th | Tavia Burgess | 73 (+1) | 73 (+1) | 146 (+2) |
| T-29th | Eileen Lee (IND) | 71 (-1) | 73 (+1) | 144 (E) |
| T-52nd | Lisa Copeland (IND) | 74 (+2) | 73 (+1) | 147 (+3) |
| T-70th | Helen Liu (IND) | 75 (+3) | 76 (+4) | 151 (+7) |
