Hawkeyes Win 3rd Straight Diane Thomason Invitational Title

PLEASANT VALLEY, Iowa – Behind third-place finishes from Maura Peters and Ximena Benites, the University of Iowa women’s golf team placed five Hawkeyes in the top 10 en route to its third consecutive Diane Thomason Invitational title Tuesday at Davenport Country Club.

The Hawkeyes finished with a 54-hole total of 878 (293-295-290), 13 strokes ahead of runner-up Missouri State. Iowa saved its best round for last, firing a 6-over-par 290 during Tuesday’s final round.

The victory marks Iowa’s fifth Diane Thomason Invitational title and its third straight. It is the Hawkeyes first tournament victory since winning the event in 2025.

Iowa, with four golfers in the top 10, was paced by Ximena Benites and Maura Peters, who tied for third with 54-hole totals of 217 (+4). Benites carded Iowa’s low round Tuesday with a 1-under-par 70 to finish 71-76-70, while Peters posted rounds of 76-70-71.

Eva Kristinsdottir and Sunny Wang both tied for eighth at 222 (+9). Kristinsdottir finished 74-73-75, while Wang posted rounds of 72-76-74. Lily Huether tied for 36th at 233 (+20).

Competing as an individual, Paige Giovenco finished seventh with a 7-over-par 220 (78-70-72). Iris Gu tied for 19th at 228 (+15), while Maria Moczarska finished 42nd at 234 (+21).

Benites, Peters, Kristinsdottir, Wang and Giovenco all earned spots on the Diane Thomason Invitational All-Tournament Team with top-10 finishes.

FROM MAURA PETERS

“I think we’re feeling really good. It was a lot of fun to be out here this week. Being in my hometown makes it feel like it’s a little bit deeper than golf. I had a lot of friends and family out here watching and cheering on me and my teammates, so that was a great experience.

“To win any golf tournament is really special, and to do it three times in a row is pretty cool. It makes me feel especially proud as a senior. I have a great team behind me, and hopefully we can use this momentum going into our final two events of the fall and get a couple more wins this year.”

FROM PAIGE GIOVENCO

“I feel really good. I came into the tournament working through a little bit of a swing change and was just hoping to put up some good scores. I didn’t play well in the first round, but I was really happy to come back with two solid rounds to finish. I’m super excited for the rest of the season and to keep competing with this team.

“It’s so nice to get a team win. I’ve never had a team win like this, so it’s really special. I’m super grateful to be on this team and to be surrounded by such great teammates. Hopefully we can get another one this fall and carry that into the spring.”

FROM HEAD COACH MEGAN MENZEL

“I thought it was a great team effort. They all picked each other up and remained really calm. This is a great golf course that really tests your game, and we saw a lot of strengths along with some things we can continue to improve. I was really proud of the way they came out with a one-shot lead, built on it and finished with their best round of the tournament.

“This is always such a special week because of everyone involved. We have incredible people around us — the volunteers, Hawkeye fans, Diane herself and all of our parents who come out. We also get to honor our seniors. It has a really great feel to it. Winning at home is always a team goal, so it’s great to get this one. Hopefully we can carry this energy forward and have a strong showing at Medinah.

“Maura and Ximena are really settling into their senior years. They’re great leaders and they want this team to be successful. It was nice to see them play some really good golf and be competitive this week. They want to keep pushing and want this team to be really strong, and I’m very proud of the way they competed this week.”

HAWKEYE SCORECARD

T3. Ximena Benites – 217 (+4; 71-76-70)

T3. Maura Peters – 217 (+4; 76-70-71)

7. Paige Giovenco* – 220 (+7; 78-70-72)

T8. Eva Kristinsdottir – 222 (+9; 74-73-75)

T8. Sunny Wang – 222 (+9; 72-76-74)

T19. Iris Gu* – 228 (+15; 74-76-78)

T36. Lily Huether – 233 (+20; 78-79-76)

42. Maria Moczarska* – 234 (+21; 77-74-83)

*Competed as an individual

TEAM LEADERBOARD

1. Iowa – 878 (293-295-290) 
2. Missouri State – 891 (290-299-302) 
3. St. Thomas – 894 (295-300-299) 
4. Bowling Green – 902 (304-290-308) 
5. North Dakota State – 911 (308-303-300)

OF NOTE

• Iowa won its fifth Diane Thomason Invitational title and third consecutive title at the event.
• The Hawkeyes won three consecutive Diane Thomason Invitational titles for the first time in program history.
• Iowa entered the final round with a one-stroke lead before winning by 13 strokes.
• Five Hawkeyes finished in the top 10, including four members of Iowa’s lineup.
• Maura Peters and Ximena Benites both recorded career-best finishes, tying for third at 4-over-par 217.
• Sunny Wang matched her career-low 54-hole score with a 9-over-par 222 (72-76-74).
• Benites, Peters, Paige Giovenco, Eva Kristinsdottir and Wang earned All-Tournament Team honors.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes return to action Oct. 12-13 at the Illinois Women’s Invitational at Medinah in Medinah, Illinois