University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, March 27
Sunset, SC
University of Tennessee
at
Clemson Invitational - Round 1
Photo by: Dan Lavin
#19/20 Lady Vols Post Even Par Round One at Clemson Invitational
March 27, 2026 | Women's Golf
SUNSET, S.C. – The No. 19/20 Tennessee women's golf team began the Clemson Invitational on Friday at The Reserve at Lake Keowee, shooting an even-par 288 in round one.
The Lady Vols sit squarely in the middle of the pack through 18 holes in eighth place among a strong field of 16 teams, including four top 20 nationally ranked opponents. No. 15 Vanderbilt leads the way after an impressive 13-under-par performance in the first round. The Commodores are four strokes ahead of No. 4 Florida at 9-under-par and six strokes ahead of No. 8 Arkansas at 7-under-par.
Tennessee was led on Friday by Kaopan Thapasit, who continues to have a strong freshman season. The first-year Lady Vol from Thailand posted a 1-under-par 71 in round one behind a clean-cut scorecard consisting of three birdies and just two bogeys. With her ninth round of par or better this season, Thapasit is tied for 15th place among the field of 88 entering Saturday's second round.
Another freshman Lady Vol that continued positive momentum on Friday was Madison Messimer. Fresh off the first individual victory of her career, the South Carolina native opened the Clemson Invitational in her home state with an even-par 72. Messimer tallied two birdies and two bogeys to earn her team-high 13th round of par or better this season. She is tied for 22nd place through 18 holes of play.
Sofie Engesaeth matched Messimer's mark with an even-par 72 of her own to open the Clemson Invitational. The third round of par or better by a Lady Vol on Friday, Engesaeth's day was highlighted by a stretch of three consecutive birdies on holes 15 through 17. The Norwegian international sits alongside Messimer in 22nd place after round one.
Making a return from injury, Manassanan Chotikabhukkana recorded Tennessee's final countable round toward the team score in round one. The standout senior fired a 1-over-par 73 behind a tally of 15 pars on the day and just two bogeys. Chotikabhukkana is tied for 34th place ahead of round two on Saturday.
Tennessee will continue the Clemson Invitational with round two on Saturday. The Lady Vols will tee off from hole No. 1, with tee times beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
Clemson Invitational Standings (Round One)
1. Vanderbilt (-13)
2. Florida (-9)
3. Arkansas (-7)
4. Ohio State (-5)
5. Princeton (-3)
6. UNC Wilmington (-2)
7. Maryland (-1)
8. Tennessee (E)
9. Virginia Tech (+1)
10. Ole Miss (+3)
11. Kent State (+4)
T-12. Miami (+6)
T-12. Clemson (+6)
14. LSU (+7)
15. Michigan State (+8)
16. Charleston (+11)
Tennessee Results (Round One)
T-15. Kaopan Thapasit: 71 (-1)
T-22. Sofie Engesaeth: 72 (E)
T-22. Madison Messimer: 72 (E)
T-34. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana: 73 (+1)
T-62. Kyra Van Kan: 75 (+3)
The Lady Vols sit squarely in the middle of the pack through 18 holes in eighth place among a strong field of 16 teams, including four top 20 nationally ranked opponents. No. 15 Vanderbilt leads the way after an impressive 13-under-par performance in the first round. The Commodores are four strokes ahead of No. 4 Florida at 9-under-par and six strokes ahead of No. 8 Arkansas at 7-under-par.
Tennessee was led on Friday by Kaopan Thapasit, who continues to have a strong freshman season. The first-year Lady Vol from Thailand posted a 1-under-par 71 in round one behind a clean-cut scorecard consisting of three birdies and just two bogeys. With her ninth round of par or better this season, Thapasit is tied for 15th place among the field of 88 entering Saturday's second round.
Another freshman Lady Vol that continued positive momentum on Friday was Madison Messimer. Fresh off the first individual victory of her career, the South Carolina native opened the Clemson Invitational in her home state with an even-par 72. Messimer tallied two birdies and two bogeys to earn her team-high 13th round of par or better this season. She is tied for 22nd place through 18 holes of play.
Sofie Engesaeth matched Messimer's mark with an even-par 72 of her own to open the Clemson Invitational. The third round of par or better by a Lady Vol on Friday, Engesaeth's day was highlighted by a stretch of three consecutive birdies on holes 15 through 17. The Norwegian international sits alongside Messimer in 22nd place after round one.
Making a return from injury, Manassanan Chotikabhukkana recorded Tennessee's final countable round toward the team score in round one. The standout senior fired a 1-over-par 73 behind a tally of 15 pars on the day and just two bogeys. Chotikabhukkana is tied for 34th place ahead of round two on Saturday.
Tennessee will continue the Clemson Invitational with round two on Saturday. The Lady Vols will tee off from hole No. 1, with tee times beginning at 9 a.m. EST.
Clemson Invitational Standings (Round One)
1. Vanderbilt (-13)
2. Florida (-9)
3. Arkansas (-7)
4. Ohio State (-5)
5. Princeton (-3)
6. UNC Wilmington (-2)
7. Maryland (-1)
8. Tennessee (E)
9. Virginia Tech (+1)
10. Ole Miss (+3)
11. Kent State (+4)
T-12. Miami (+6)
T-12. Clemson (+6)
14. LSU (+7)
15. Michigan State (+8)
16. Charleston (+11)
Tennessee Results (Round One)
T-15. Kaopan Thapasit: 71 (-1)
T-22. Sofie Engesaeth: 72 (E)
T-22. Madison Messimer: 72 (E)
T-34. Manassanan Chotikabhukkana: 73 (+1)
T-62. Kyra Van Kan: 75 (+3)
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