Bulldogs Claim Season Opener at PLU Invitational; Christensen Earns Medalist Honors

via goredlands.com

Photo by Adrian Williams

Senior Savanah Christensen.

TACOMA, Wash. — The University of Redlands women's golf team won its first tournament of the 2026-27 season, taking the Pacific Lutheran University Invitational title with a 47-over-par total of 623 (310-313). Upland senior Savanah Christensen led the Bulldogs, capturing the individual title with a 2-over 146 (74-72).

Round 1

Christensen tied for second following an opening-round 74, leading the Bulldogs to a three-stroke advantage over Occidental College. After bogeying three of her first five holes, she settled in with three pars and two birdies over her next six holes to drop to 1 over, before finishing with five consecutive pars.

Junior Kylie McGrath (Renton, Wash.) sat two strokes back of Christensen in fifth place with a 76. After making five of her six bogeys on the first 10 holes, she shaved two strokes off her total over the final eight holes.

Sophomore Cecili Hayes (Vancouver, Wash.) tied for ninth with a 78. Following an eventful opening five holes that included two double bogeys and two birdies, she closed her round with three pars and a birdie over the final four holes.

Freshman Maria Hernandez (Houston) posted an 82 to sit in 20th place as Redlands' final scorer. She played her final five holes at even par. Junior Evie Denton (Rome, N.Y.) shot an 85 to place 29th, finishing the round with nine bogeys and two double bogeys.

Round 2

Christensen maintained control throughout the final round, hovering no more than 1 over par while carding three birdies and three bogeys for a 72, sealing her individual victory at 146.

McGrath moved up one spot to finish fourth overall at 155 (76-79), recording 10 pars and a birdie on the day to secure a top-five result.

Hayes finished tied for 11th with a two-round total of 160 (78-82), highlighted by a strong front-nine stretch from holes 4 through 9 that featured five pars and a birdie.

Denton stepped into the final scoring spot for Redlands, climbing 12 positions into a tie for 17th at 165 (85-80). Her final round included two front-nine birdies. Hernandez placed 27th with a 169 (82-87) following six consecutive bogeys on the front nine and two double bogeys on the back nine.

Up Next

Redlands returns to competition Oct. 12-13 at the Hollins Cup, hosted at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz.