Smith Captures First Collegiate Title; Blue Devils Win Team Crown

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Junior Andie Smith along with the Duke women’s golf team claimed the individual and team titles on Sunday at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational, which was contested at the 6,081-yard, par-70 Finley Golf Course in Chapel Hill. 
 
Smith, a native of Hobie Sound, Fla., carded rounds of 68, 66 and 69 for a career-best 7-under-par, 203, to win her first collegiate tournament by five strokes.  As a team, Duke fired a team-best even-par, 280, in the final round and took home the trophy with a 54-hole ledger of 856.  The Blue Devils won by three strokes over Michigan State and Wake Forest. 
 
Duke won the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational for the 17th time in program history and the first since 2018 (2024, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1988).  Smith became the 13th Blue Devil to win the Tar Heel Invitational joining Leona Maguire (2017, 2015), Amanda Blumenherst (2007), Leigh Anne Hardin (2003, 2000), Liz Janangelo (2003, 2002), Kristina Engstrom (2001), Candy Hannemann (2000, 1998), Jenny Chuasiriporn (1997) and Christine Casingal (1988). 
 
Duke head coach Dan Brooks has now led the Blue Devils to at least one victory in 39 of his 41 seasons and owns 144 team wins over his legendary career. 
 
How It Happened

• Andie Smith started the day on hole No. 5 and parred the first eight holes, before suffering a bogey on No. 13.  After she 2-putted for birdie on No. 15, Smith dropped back-to-back shots on No. 16 and No. 17 to fall behind in the individual lead by two shots.  Smith parred No. 18 and then struck fire by birding holes No. 1-3.  She rolled in a 20-foot birdie on the first hole and then hit her 60-degree wedge from 68 yards to 15 feet on No. 2.  Smith then dialed in her 54-degree wedge on No. 3 from 48 yards as she placed it within a foot for birdie to move back into the individual lead for good.  For the day, she hit 15 greens, nine fairways and rolled 31 putts. 
• Freshman Carla De Troia picked the perfect time to shoot a career low as she went bogey-free on Sunday carding a 1-under, 69.A native of Paris, France, De Troia got up-and-down from the left bunker on the 483-yard, par-5 eighth hole for her lone birdie of the day.She rolled in a 10-foot sand save for birdie.She hit a career-best 15 greens,…