AIKEN, S.C. — Behind two of the best team rounds in program history, the Columbia women's golf team took fifth place at the More Than Golf Invitational. The inaugural tournament, co-hosted by the ANNIKA Foundation, Columbia and Augusta University, wrapped up on Sunday at Old Barnwell.
 
After recording a team score of 3-over-par 295 in Saturday's second round, tying for the third-best team round in program history, the Lions ran it back for another 295 on Sunday. This time, it was first-year Christine Chang's 1-under-par 72, junior Yoko Tai's even-par 73, and a pair of 2-over 75s from first-year Sarah Shao and junior Emma Shen. The four Lions combined for 14 birdies on the day, as well as one eagle apiece from Tai and Chang.
 
Columbia (+28) took fifth in the 12-team field with a 54-hole total of 28-over-par 904 (314-295-295). The 54-hole total goes down as the fifth-lowest in relation to par in program history.
 
First-years Luo (+8) and Shao (+8) tied for 15th on the 70-player individual leaderboard. Their respective 54-hole scores of 8-over 227 were the best of their young collegiate careers. Their 15th-place finishes were also a collegiate best.
 
Chang bounced back from an opening-round 85 on Friday with back-to-back 1-under-par 72s on Saturday and Sunday. Teeing off at the eighth, she eagled the par-4, 285-yard 14th on Sunday. The rookie was even after 11 holes before birdieing the first and the third to get as low as 2-under on the round. She tied for 22nd at 10-over for the tournament.
 
Tai also tied for 22nd to put four Lions in the top 25. Teeing off at the seventh, her final round started off a bit shaky with a double at the ninth, bogey at the 10th and another double at the 11th to go 5-over after five holes. However, she followed with an eagle at the par-5 12th and made the turn back to the first at 3-over for the day. The junior from Singapore rallied down the stretch, birdieing Old Barnwell's first, second and fourth, playing her last six holes in 3-under to post her first even-par round of the season.
 
The Lions compete again in two weeks, April 12-13, at the Navy Spring Invitational. The tournament will be held at the Naval Academy Golf Course in Annapolis, Maryland.
 
ABOUT THE MORE THAN GOLF INVITATIONAL
The More Than Golf Invitational is designed to provide an exceptional, high-quality golf experience and the opportunity for participants to advance their careers. The individual medalist will receive up to three complimentary starts on the ANNIKA Women's All-Pro Tour throughout the summer.
 
In alignment with the ANNIKA Foundation's mission, the More Than Golf Invitational will provide valuable life and career guidance for the student-athletes. Planned programming will include relationship-building opportunities through a college-am to be held before the tournament, as well as an executive women's reception and dinner where players will have the chance to meet and develop relationships with successful women across a variety of industries.
 
"The More Than Golf Invitational speaks to the heart of our mission — to develop, empower and advance young women through golf and in life — and we are very excited to kick things off next year at Old Barnwell," said Annika. "We're grateful to our partners at Old Barnwell and our host universities, Augusta and Columbia, for helping us make this dream a reality. This tournament will give the student-athletes a chance to test themselves at a premier golf venue, while providing memorable experiences, life, and career advice."   
 
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