NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt women’s golf returns to the links this weekend to host the annual Mason Rudolph Championship following the Commodores’ season-opening win at the Carmel Cup earlier this month. The three-day, 54-hole championship tees off Friday at 8:30 a.m. at Vanderbilt Legends Club.
“I probably say this every year, but hosting the Mason Rudolph is one of my favorite things I get to do as the head coach of the Vanderbilt women’s golf team,” said head coach Greg Allen. “Mason and Carol Rudolph were two people that represented everything that was good in the world, and it’s my honor and privilege to carry on their name by hosting this tournament.”
The last time Vanderbilt acted as defending champions of its home event was in 2019, finishing runner-up at the tournament a week after winning its first competition of the season—the Cougar Cup. The Commodores have taken first place at the Mason Rudolph Championship three times under head coach Greg Allen (2023, 2018, 2014) and have four wins in total (2002).
In last year’s tournament, Vanderbilt came from behind in Sunday’s final round to beat out Auburn. Junior Tillie Claggett led the Commodore charge that day, sinking two back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16-17 and had a legendary par save on the final hole. The Dores won by three strokes total and had three golfers finish in the top 10 individuals.
This weekend, another formidable field returns to Legends. 10 of the schools ranked inside GOLFWEEK’s Preseason Top 30 appear, including No. 3 Texas, No. 8 Northwestern, No. 9 Texas A&M, No. 12 South Carolina, No. 14 Arizona State, No. 19 Arizona, No. 21 Mississippi State, No. 26 Kentucky, No. 27 Vanderbilt and No. 29 Baylor. The rest of the teams competing are Alabama, Chattanooga, Clemson, Georgia Southern, Lipscomb and Middle Tennessee.
“We have another very strong field with some outstanding players,” added Allen.
The entire Vanderbilt roster will be on display at the Mason Rudolph Championship. Angelina Tolentino, Lynn Lim, Sara Im, Ava Merrill and Tillie Claggett will headline Vanderbilt’s A team. Two Freshmen—Claire Henson and Jayden Jevnick—will make their Vanderbilt debuts and compete alongside Charlene Chung, Macie Brown and Meghan Meserole on the second squad.
“I’m excited to see our girls compete again after a couple weeks removed from Pebble Beach,” said Allen. “I feel like we have a super competitive group that’s ready to defend our…
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