Weed, Bulldogs Finish Runner Up At UCF Challenge

Tuesday, January 27

Orlando, Fla.

Mississippi State

UCF Challenge

Weed, Bulldogs Finish Runner Up At UCF Challenge

January 27, 2026 | Women's Golf

Leaderboard

By: Will Simmons, Assistant Director/Communications

ORLANDO, Fla. – The 18th-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs finished runners up in the 2026 edition of the UCF Challenge at Eagle Greek GC in Orlando at 20-under par. The Bulldogs were led by Avery Weed, the top-ranked collegiate golfer, who finished runner up individually at 8-under.

The Bulldogs took the course for the third day of action to complete the final four holes of their third round. Due to a forecast of colder temperatures on Tuesday morning, the field started the third round after completing their second round on Monday.

Weed earned her fifth top five finish in as many tournaments this season. The junior from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, has now earned eight top five finishes in her three seasons in the Maroon and White. Weed shot a 2-under third round, which extended her streak of under par rounds to 10 straight. On the season, she is now 39-under par.

Freshman Ines Belchior earned the best finish of her young collegiate career at the UCF Challenge, as she finished T7 at 6-under par. Belchior shot par or better in all three rounds of the event, which marked the first time in her career she's done so in a single tournament. Belchior has now shot par or better in five rounds this season. In the second round, she shot 4-under, marking her second career round in the 60s.

Freshman Moa Stridh also earned her best career finish in Orlando. Stridh earned a T10 finish at 5-under, propelled by a strong 2-under round in the third round. Like Belchior, the UCF Challenge was the first time Stridh shot par or better in all three rounds of a single tournament. Stridh has now shot six par or better rounds this season.

Samantha Whateley earned a top 20 finish for the seventh time in her career, as she finished even-par. Whateley shot a 1-under opening round, marking her 20th par or better round of her career.

Izzy Pellot bounced back in the final round of the UCF Challenge, as she put together a 1-under round across her final 18 holes. She concluded the tournament at 3-over par.

The Bulldogs will be back in action for the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Florida, beginning on February 16.

UCF Challenge Leaderboard
1. Auburn, -24
2. Mississippi State, -20
3. UCF, -15
4. Baylor, -10
5. Penn State, -5
6. USF, -3
7. Florida Gulf Coast, +1
8. Kent State, +5
9. Nebraska, +13
10. South Alabama, +21
11. North Florida, +26
12. Abilene Christian, +31
13. East Carolina, +34
14. Charlotte, +35
15. Northern Illinois, +38
16. Old Dominion, +49

Mississippi State
Name	Place	Rd. 1	Rd. 2	Rd. 3	+/-
Avery Weed	T2	70,- 2	68, -4	70, -2	-8
Ines Belchior	T7	70,- 2	68, -4	72, E	-6
Samantha Whateley	T17	71, -1	73, +1	72, E	E
Moa Stridh	T10	70, -2	71, -1	70, -2	-7
Izzy Pellot	T35	73, +1	75, +3	71, -1	+2
Lynn van der Sluijs*	90	74, +3	84, +12	78, +6	+21
TEAM	2	281, -7	280, -8	283, -5	-20

*Competing individually

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