Hawkeyes Open Spring Season in Puerto Rico

THIS WEEK  

The University of Iowa women’s golf team will open its spring season Feb. 1–3 at the Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, in a tournament hosted by Purdue University. The 54-hole tournament will be played at The Grand Reserve Golf Club (par 72, 6,305 yards) with a 6:30 a.m. (CT) shotgun start Sunday and Monday, and a 5:30 a.m. (CT) start Tuesday.

FOLLOW LIVE  

Fans can follow the tournament via live scoring on Scoreboard, powered by Clippd.  

THE LINEUP 

Iowa’s lineup includes junior Maura Peters, senior Riley Lewis,  junior Ximena Benites, freshman Sunny Wang, and senior Kaitlyn Hanna. 

THE FIELD  

The 18-team field includes: Arkansas, Furman, Georgia Southern, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Florida, North Texas, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Purdue, UNCW, and  Vanderbilt. 

THE COURSE  

The Grand Reserve Golf Club is regarded as one of Puerto Rico’s premier golf destinations, known for its scenic setting, challenging layout, and championship-caliber design. Located along the island’s northeastern coast, the course offers sweeping views and coastal conditions that test every aspect of a player’s game. The venue has hosted numerous high-level amateur and collegiate events, further establishing itself as one of the Caribbean’s top tournament sites.

HOME VICTORY  

The University of Iowa women’s golf team claimed the team title at the Diane Thomason Invitational on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Finkbine Golf Course, firing a 54-hole total of 889 (296-303-290). The Hawkeyes successfully defended their title, having also won the invitational last year.

LAST MEET

The Hawkeyes finished 12th in the 15-team field at The Ally, recording a three-round total of 907 (299–305–303) over 54 holes. Junior Ximena Benites closed out her final round with a 1-over-par 73 to finish tied for 52nd. The Peru native recorded four birdies and 10 pars in her final round. Junior Maura Peters shot a 78, carding two birdies and 10 pars, to finish tied for 29th with a 54-hole total of 220 (68–74–78). Freshman Sunny Wang posted a 79 in the final round to tie for 64th, while senior Riley Lewis rounded out Iowa’s lineup with a 10-over-par 82, finishing tied for 75th.

OF NOTE…  

• Junior Maura Peters led Iowa with an even-par 72 in the final round of the Diane Thomason Invitational, finishing tied for fifth with a 54-hole total of 220 (75-73-72). It marks her second straight top-10 finish and the third of her career.

• Senior Riley Lewis and freshman Sunny Wang both captured top-20 finishes at the Diane Thomason Invitational  

• Junior Ximena Benites paced the team at the Boilermaker Classic, finishing tied for 18th at 221 (69-78-74) with a career-tying three-under 69 in round one.

UP NEXT  

The Hawkeyes will return to action Feb. 15-16, traveling to Sarasota, Florida, for the Spartan Suncoast Collegiate.