SANFORD, N.C.  The Methodist women's golf team sits in third place after two rounds of the 2026 USA South Women's Golf Championship, posting a team score of 646 (+70) at Carolina Trace Country Club. The Monarchs opened the tournament with a 37-over 325 before improving by four strokes in round two with a 33-over 321.

THE ESSENTIALS
Event: 2026 USA South Women's Golf Championship
Location: Carolina Trace CC (Par 72 ­­– 5,633); Sanford, North Carolina
Top teams: 1 – Huntingdon College (314-318–632, +56), 2 – Piedmont University (312-321–633, +57), 3 – Methodist (325-321–646, +70)
Top individuals: 1 – Erin Donovan, Piedmont (70-72–142, -2), 2 – Yvette Gorden, Huntingdon (77-71–148, +4), T3 – Three Players (156, +12)

FIRST TWO ROUNDS

• Senior Jenna Rutledge and junior Anna Wicklum lead the Monarchs and are tied for seventh with matching two-round totals of 159 (+15). Rutledge paced Methodist in the opening round with a seven-over 79 before carding an eight-over 80 in round two, recording one birdie in each round.
• Wicklum opened with a 10-over 82 but responded with the Monarchs' best round of the day in round two, shooting a five-over 77. She recorded three birdies across the two rounds, including two in the second round.
• Junior Eva Denten and sophomore Cloe Rich are tied for 10th place with identical scores of 164 (+20). Denten posted rounds of 81 and 83, recording two birdies in each round, while Rich improved from an 83 in the opening round to an 81 in round two.
• Sophomore Kiley Donovan rounds out the Methodist lineup, sitting in 28th place with a two-day total of 189 (+45). She recorded a birdie in each round, shooting 93 in the first round and 96 in the second.

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to the course on Wednesday, April 22, for the final round of the USA South Championship. The first Monarch is scheduled to tee off at 9:25 AM.