Upcoming Event: Women's Golf versus NCAA Regional Championship on May 11, 2026
Women's Golf
vs NCAA Regional Championship
Monday, May 11
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Duke University
vs
NCAA Regional Championship
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Women's Golf Opens Ann Arbor Regional Play Monday
5/10/2026 7:56:00 PM | Women's Golf
2026 Ann Arbor Regional
May 11-13, 2026 • Ann Arbor, Mich.
University of Michigan Golf Course
54 Holes Stroke Play; Top 5 to NCAA Championship
Live Scoring l Watch
DUKE TRAVELS TO MICHIGAN FOR ANN ARBOR REGIONAL
The second-seeded Duke women's golf team is prepped for the 2026 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional, which will take place May 11-13 at the 6,245-yard, par-71 University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
No. 10 Duke is set to compete in its 33rd-consecutive NCAA Regional and features 10 regional titles over school history under head coach Dan Brooks.
The 12 teams competing in the regional will be Southern California, Duke, Central Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Northwestern, Kansas, Texas Tech, UNLV, Columbia, Quinnipiac and Oakland.
The regional will be a 54-hole tournament with 18 holes played each day. Duke opens action on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. (ET), off hole No. 1.
The NCAA regionals feature six different regional sites with 12 teams (72 total) and six individuals (36 total). The top five teams and top individual (not on an advancing team) will advance from each regional site to the championships, which will be held for the third time at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, May 22-27.
COVERAGE
Fans will be able to follow the action with live scoring at Scoreboard Powered by clippd. Golf Channel will deliver expanded coverage of the final day of the NCAA regional championship, Wednesday, May 13. Coverage will feature updates throughout the day that will be published to Golf Channel Digital and through Golf Channel social media handles, concluding with live news segments announcing the teams and individuals who qualified for the national championship.
Babygrande Golf will provide live video coverage of all six NCAA regional sites, but will be behind a pay wall. Everyone can also follow along on Twitter (@DukeWGOLF), Instagram (DukeWGolf) and Facebook as well.
THE DUKE LINEUP
Duke will feature a lineup of graduate student Andie Smith, junior Katie Li, sophomore Anna Cañado Espinal, freshman Rianne Malixi and freshman Avery McCrery. Malixi and McCrery will make their debut in NCAA action this week.
BIRDIES FOR BABIES
Spearheaded by 2019 Blue Devil graduate Virginia Elena Carta, the Duke men's and women's golf programs have continued their fundraising program benefitting the Duke Children's Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units called Birdies for Babies. Duke has raised $16,592.30 so far this season and over the nine years of the program, it has raised $148,463.67.
In November of 2023, the Duke Children's Hospital dedicated a room for the program since the Blue Devils reached the $100,000 mark in earnings.
Those looking to support the partnership with the Duke Children's can make pledges per birdie. Pledges will start at $0.50 and high pledge increments are welcome. If the Blue Devils register an eagle (counts as two birdies), albatross (three birdies) and hole-in-one (four birdies) they will count as stated.
For more information, head to https://giving.dukechildrens.org/ways-to-give/duke-athletics-partnerships
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Duke is currently ranked No. 10 in the latest Scoreboard golf rankings and No. 11 in the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) ledger.
Individually, in the Scoreboard rankings four Blue Devils are ranked in the top 100 -- Rianne Malixi (7), Katie Li (45), Andie Smith (77) and Avery McCrery (100).
MALIXI FEATURING IMPRESSIVE SPRING
Duke freshman Rianne Malixi continues to have a very impressive spring campaign for the Blue Devils as she has moved up to a season-best No. 7 nationally in the latest Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings.
A native of Manilla, Philippines, Malixi has carded a 68.67 stroke average in four tournaments this spring. She has posted six rounds in the 60s and shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events. Malixi turned in a first-place finish at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, runner-up finish at the ACC Championship, a third-place ledger at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and a tied for third-place finish at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational.
Malixi also competed in the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play along the way and went a perfect, 3-0, helping lead the Blue Devils into the championship match. She shot a combined 15-under-par in the three matches during the week.
At the Sea Best Intercollegiate, Malixi claimed her first collegiate victory in record fashion as she carded a 9-under-par, 63, in the final round and a 54-hole score of 16-under-par, 200. The round of 63 tied for the lowest 18-hole score on a par-72 course in Duke history and the 3-day total of 200 was the lowest score in Blue Devil lore. Malixi's 16-under score was tied for the 20th lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history and her 63 was tied for the 21st lowest 18-hole score as well. She also became just the 15th freshman to shoot a 63 or better in NCAA action.
Malixi closed the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate with a course record of 8-under, 63, as she went on to finish third overall with a 4-under, 209.
TRENDS/NOTES
• Duke is one of only seven teams nationally to compete in every regional since the NCAA began regional action. The Blue Devils along with Arizona, Arizona State, Southern California, Stanford, UCLA and Wake Forest have competed in all 33 regionals.
• Rianne Malixi has been tabbed one of 15 golfers on The ANNIKA Award Postseason Watch List heading into the NCAA Regionals. Malixi was also named to the WGCA National Player of the Year and WGCA Rookie of the Year watch lists.
• Dan Brooks was named one of 20 watch list selections for the 2025-26 Division I Jackie Steinmann Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) National Coach of the Year. Brooks is a seven-time national coach of the year honoree.
• Over the last two events, junior Katie Li has collected a 70.67 stroke average with an eighth-place finish at the Charles Schwab Invitational and an 11th-place ledger at the ACC Championship. She has turned in seven straight rounds of even or under par over the last three events.
• Freshman Avery McCrery returned to the lineup for the ACC Championship after missing the last two tournaments due to an injury. She posted rounds of 69, 74 and 75 for a 2-over, 218, in her return. McCrery placed tied for 35th, which was the second-lowest finish of her freshman season.
• Rianne Malixi leads Duke with 91 birdies on the season, while Katie Li is second with 88.
• Rianne Malixi is moving up the overall Duke single-season rankings. She is tied for tied for ninth in rounds in the 60s and third in stroke average (70.71).
• In the latest World Amateur Golf Rankings, Rianne Malixi (14), Andie Smith (91), Katie Li (116), Avery McCrery (151) and Anna Cañado Espinal (234) are in the top 240.
NCAA REGIONAL EXPERIENCE
Duke will travel a team that features three golfers -- Andie Smith, Katie Li and Anna Cañado Espinal - that have experience playing in the NCAA Regionals.
In her first appearance in 2023, Smith posted scores of 73, 73 and 69 for a 1-under, 215, to place fourth. She also netted her first collegiate hole-in-one as well in her home state of Florida. In 2024, Smith posted scores of 72, 72 and 73 for a 1-over, 217, to finish seventh. Last year, she tied for 17th with scores of 73-72-73 for a 2-over, 218.
In 2024, Li posted rounds of 73, 75 and 73 to finish tied for 13th with a 5-over, 221, and last year tied for 45th with rounds of 77, 74 and 74 for a 9-over, 225. As a rookie in 2025, Cañado Espinal tied for 59th with a 16-over, 232, with rounds of 80, 75 and 77.
BLUE DEVILS IN THE NCAAS
This marks the 33rd consecutive year there has been a regional system for women's golf. Duke has advanced to nationals 27 of the last 31 times, finishing in the top four of the regional in 25 of the 27 years the squad has advanced.
Duke has posted five individual medalists at the regionals as Beth Bauer won the East Regional in 1999 after shooting 74-70-71=215, Virada Nirapathpongporn won in 2001 with a 65-73-71=209, Leigh Anne Hardin won in 2002 with rounds of 71-67-72=210, Anna Grzebien won in 2005 with rounds of 73-69-67=209 and Leona Maguire won in 2015 with rounds of 72-78-72=212.
NCAA REGIONAL TITLES
Duke owns 10 NCAA Regional titles over school history, which ranks second all-time in NCAA action. Southern California owns 14 titles, while Duke (10), UCLA (8), Stanford (8), Arizona (6), Georgia (6), South Carolina (6) and Arizona State (5) have won five or more regional championships.
The Blue Devils have won regional titles in 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
BLUE DEVILS IN THE 60S
Duke currently features six golfers who have shot 69 or better in a round this season -- Katie Li, Andie Smith, Rianne Malixi, Anna Cañado Espinal, Avery McCrery and Carla De Troia. It marks the first time in program history the Blue Devils have featured six different golfers to shoot 69 or better in a round.
Smith, Malixi and Li lead Duke with 13 rounds of even or under par. Malixi leads the Blue Devils with seven rounds in the 60s this year, while Li has five and Smith has four.
Duke had five golfers shoot 69 or better in 2024-25, 2023-24, 2020-21, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2013-14, 2009-10, 2005-06 and 2003-04.
ONE OF ONLY THREE TEAMS NATIONALLY
Duke is one of only three teams nationally that have four players on the roster that have won at least one tournament over their career. Joining the Blue Devils is Texas and Stanford.
Graduate student Andie Smith (2024 Tar Heel Invitational), sophomore Anna Cañado Espinal (2025 Chattanooga Classic), junior Katie Li (2024 Florida State Match-Up) and Rianne Malixi (Sea Best Intercollegiate) have won tournaments in their short careers.
FRESHMAN RECORD BOOKS
Duke rookie Rianne Malixi is set to etch her name throughout the Duke freshman record charts. She has already set records for lowest 18-hole score, lowest 36-hole ledger and 54-hole score.
If the season ended today, her 70.71 stroke average would be the lowest in program history, which would be just ahead of Leona Maguire (70.78) from the 2014-15 season. Her 13 rounds of even or under par are tied for ninth and her four top-5 finishes are tied for ninth.
Malixi is the first freshman golfer in NCAA history to shoot multiple rounds of 63 or better in a rookie season.
With her seven rounds in the 60s, Malixi ranks fourth on Duke's freshman record charts. Leona Maguire (10), Jaravee Boonchant (8), Brittany Lang (8), Malixi (7), Liz Janangelo (6), Yu Liu (5), Virginia Elena Carta (5) and Amanda Blumenherst (5) are in the top five.
AVERAGES
Go in depth with the Blue Devils to see how many birdies, greens, fairways and putts they average during rounds in 2025-26.
Birdies Greens Fairways Putts
Andie Smith 2.7 12.6 9.8 31.1
Katie Li 3.3 13.4 9.0 31.6
Anna Cañado Espinal 2.7 13.4 10.4 32.0
Carla De Troia 1.9 11.1 9.5 32.0
Rianne Malixi 3.9 13.2 10.3 30.6
Avery McCrery 2.7 13.4 10.0 32.9
Malixi's 3.9 birdies per round this season is the highest average for a Duke golfer in program history. Ana Belac (3.8 in 2019-20), Gina Kim (3.7 in 2021-22), Miranda Wang (3.6 in 2019-20) and Phoebe Brinker (3.4 in 2023-24) are in the top five.
McCrery's 13.4 greens per round ranks tied for fifth all-time on Duke's record charts. Jaravee Boonchant (14.1 in 2020-21), Virginia Elena Carta (14.0 in 2018-19), Gina Kim (13.7 in 2019-20), Erica Shepherd (13.6 in 2019-20) and Emma McMyler (13.4 in 2023-24) rank in the top five.
Malixi's 30.6 putts per round ranks third in Duke history -- Gina Kim (30.0 in 2020-21), Gina Kim (30.3 in 2021-22), Andie Smith (30.6 in 2024-25), Anne Chen (30.6 in 2021-22), Erica Shepherd (30.6 in 2021-22) and Megan Furtney (30.6 in 2019-20).
**These stats started being kept in 2018-19.
MALIXI TO COMPETE IN ARNOLD PALMER CUP
The 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup teams were announced with Duke standout freshman Rianne Malixi selected to compete for the International squad at Tralee Golf Links in West Barrow, Ireland July 3-5.
The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and began at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida, in 1997. The event is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men's and women's university/college golfers matching the United States against a team of international players.
Malixi becomes the seventh Blue Devil to be selected to compete at the Arnold Palmer Cup – Erica Shepherd (2022 and 2021), Jon Whithaus (2021), Gina Kim (2021 and 2020), Dan Brooks (2020), Ana Belac (2019) and Jaravee Boonchant (2018).
IN THE RECORD BOOK
In the Duke career record book, junior Andie Smith is moving up the charts. She ranks fourth with 21 rounds in the 60s over her four seasons. She needs two more to move into a tie for third along with Lindy Duncan (23). Smith is also tied for ninth with 49 rounds of even or under par and needs three to move into a tie for eighth along with Celine Boutier (52).
Rounds in the 60s
NAME TOTAL
1. Leona Maguire, 2015-18 32
2. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 30
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 23
4. Liz Janangelo, 2003-06 21
Andie Smith, 2023-present 21
6. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 19
Ana Belac, 2017-20 19
8. Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 16
9. Virginia Elena Carta, 2016-19 15
Anna Grzebien, 2004-07 15
Brittany Lang, 2004-05 15
Jaravee Boonchant, 2018-21 15
Even Or Under Par Rounds
NAME TOTAL
1. Leona Maguire, 2015-18 87
2. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 78
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 72
4. Liz Janangelo, 2003-06 55
5. Virada Nirapathpongporn, 2001-04 54
Jaravee Boonchant, 2018-21 54
7. Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 53
8. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 52
9. Ana Belac, 2017-20 49
Andie Smith, 2023-present 49
Most Birdies
NAME TOTAL
1. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 441
2. Elizabeth Janangelo, 2003-06 391
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 370
4. Anna Grzebien, 2004-07 351
Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 351
6. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 338
7. Ana Belac, 2017-20 333
8. Virada Nirapathpongporn, 2001-04 331
9. Andie Smith, 2023-present 327
10. Laetitia Beck, 2011-14 322
LI, MALIXI EARN ALL-ACC RECOGNITION
The tandem of Katie Li and Rianne Malixi received All-ACC recognition and Malixi was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year following a vote of the league's head coaches.
Li earned All-ACC honors for the second time in her collegiate career, while Malixi earned honors for the first time. Malixi is the 17th Blue Devil to receive ACC Freshman of the Year accolades and the first since 2015.
A native of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Li has compiled a career-best 71.74 stroke average on the season with three top-10 and five top-20 finishes. Her 13 rounds of even or under par rank tied for first on the Duke squad. She also added five rounds in the 60s. Li garnered top-11 finishes at the ACC Championship (T11th), Charles Schwab Invitational (8th), Sea Best Intercollegiate (4th) and Windy City Collegiate (T6th).
Over the past two events, Li has collected a 70.67 stroke average with eighth-place and 11th-place finishes. She has notched seven straight rounds of even or under par dating back to the last three tournaments. Li is currently ranked No. 45 nationally in the Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings.
Malixi, a product of Manila, Philippines, has turned in one of the best spring seasons in Duke women's golf history, shooting 31-under-par for a 68.67 stroke average. Eight of her 12 rounds in the spring have been even or under par scores. Currently ranked No. 7 nationally, Malixi is the highest ranked rookie in NCAA Division I women's golf.
She collected her first collegiate victory to open the spring season by totaling rounds of 71, 66 and 63 to shoot 16-under-par at the Sea Best Intercollegiate. Malixi has also placed second at the ACC Championship, third at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and tied for third at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational. She recently collected a school-record 45-hole stretch of bogey-free golf at the ACC Championship.
Other Duke ACC Freshman of the Year selections include Jenny Chuasiriporn (1995-96), Kalen Anderson (1997-98), Beth Bauer (1998-99), Maria Garcia-Estrada (1999-2000), Virada Nirapathpongporn (2000-01), Niloufar Aazam-Zanganeh (2001-02), Liz Janangelo (2002-03), Brittany Lang (2003-04), Jennifer Pandolfi (2004-05), Amanda Blumenherst (2005-06), Alison Whitaker (2006-07), Lindy Duncan (2009-10), Laetitia Beck (2010-11), Celine Boutier (2012-13), Yu Liu (2013-14) and Leona Maguire (2014-15).
DUKE WINS WINDY CITY COLLEGIATE CLASSIC
Duke fired a team-best 7-under-par, 281, in the final round to come-from-behind to finish as co-champions of the Windy City Collegiate Classic, which was contested at the 6,368-yard, par-72 Glen View Club in Golf.
The Blue Devils along with host Northwestern finished the 54-hole event with a 13-under-par, 851, to finish as co-champions. Duke fired three rounds in the red (283, 287, 281) to post its first win of the season and 145th of Blue Devil head coach Dan Brooks impressive career. The victory came on Brooks' birthday as well.
It marked the first team title at the Windy City Collegiate Classic in nine appearances for the Blue Devils. Brooks has guided Duke to at least one victory in 40 of his 42 seasons in Durham.
As a team, Duke featured three golfers in the top six individually -- Anna Cañado Espinal (T4, -5), Andie Smith (T6, -4) and Katie Li (T6, -4), while freshman Avery McCrery carded her first collegiate top-20 finish (T18, E).
ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH
Blue Devil head coach Dan Brooks became the all-time winningest women's golf coach in NCAA Division I history in the fall of 2005 as he won his 92nd career tournament title at the Stanford Pepsi Intercollegiate Oct. 23, 2005. Brooks passed Mark Gale of San Jose State who won 91 career tournaments from 1978-96.
Brooks now has 145 career tournament wins over his 42 seasons. He has guided Duke to at least one victory in 40 of his 42 years.
THE HEAD COACH
Dan Brooks is in his 42nd season as the head coach of the Blue Devils. The 1981 graduate of Oregon State has led Duke to 21 ACC Championships over the years. Brooks owns the school's seven National Championships in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2019.
Brooks' teams have finished with a top-20 ranking 35 times, while 23 of his squads have earned a top-10 finish in a NCAA Tournament-- 1987 (T7th), 1988 (5th), 1994 (4th), 1996 (7th), 1998 (4th), 1999 (1st), 2001 (2nd), 2002 (1st), 2003 (10th), 2004 (3rd), 2005 (1st), 2006 (1st), 2007 (1st), 2008 (3rd), 2009 (6th), 2010 (T8th), 2013 (2nd), 2014 (1st), 2015 (semis), 2016 (semis), 2018 (6th), 2019 (1st), 2021 (semis).
In 42 years, his teams have won 145 tournaments, which is a NCAA record for women's golf. He was named the 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2021 ACC Coach of the Year for his efforts and 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2014 and 2019 National Coach of the Year.
Brooks' seven NCAA titles is the most in women's golf -- 5, Linda Vollstedt (Arizona State), 3, Mark Gale (San Jose State) and Andrea Gaston (Southern California).
BLUE DEVILS ON THE PRO TOURS
The Duke women's golf program once again has a heavy influence on the LPGA, Epson Tour and Ladies European Tour.
The Blue Devils have 12 former golfers on the LPGA with Celine Boutier, Lindy Duncan, Ana Belac, Miranda Wang, Brittany Lang, Yu Liu, Leona Maguire, Erica Shepherd, Laetitia Beck, Gina Kim, Emma McMyler and Anne Chen competing.
Duke also features Jaravee Boonchant on the KLPGA and Virginia Elena Carta has competed on the Ladies European Tour.
BROOKS ADDS SOLID CLASS FOR 2025-26
Duke head coach Dan Brooks announced in November the signing of two of the top-rated recruits nationally with the addition of Mia Hammond and Martina Navarro Navarro. The duo will join the Blue Devils in the fall of 2026.
Hammond, a native of New Albany, Ohio, was the only amateur golfer to win on the Epson Tour in 2025 as she carded rounds of 66, 66 and 69 for a 12-under, 201, at the Greater Toledo Classic hosted by Stacy Lewis in Sylvania, Ohio. She is one of only seven amateurs in the history of the Epson Tour to win a professional event.
Navarro Navarro, who hails from Alicante, Spain, competed in the 2024 PING Junior Solheim Cup and the Junior Vagliano Trophy. She claimed the titles at the 2023 Puntauble Nacional Juvenil, 2024 Madrid Championship and the 2025 Spanish Championship of Federations. Navarro Navarro was also the runner-up at the 2023 R&A Girls Amateur Championship, runner-up at the 2024 European Young Masters Championship and tied for third at the 2024 Spanish International Ladies Amateur.
SEVEN-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS
The Duke women's golf team are seven-time NCAA Champions. The Blue Devils won their first title in 1999, a second in 2002, third in 2005, fourth in 2006, fifth in 2007, sixth in 2014 and seventh in 2019. Duke became only the second team along with Arizona State to win three straight national titles (1995-97).
Virada Nirapathpongporn (2002), Candy Hannemann (2003), Anna Grzebien (2005) and Virginia Elena Carta (2016) each have won individual titles. The Blue Devils became only the third squad in NCAA history to post the individual champion in two straight years in 2001 and 2002.
May 11-13, 2026 • Ann Arbor, Mich.
University of Michigan Golf Course
54 Holes Stroke Play; Top 5 to NCAA Championship
Live Scoring l Watch
DUKE TRAVELS TO MICHIGAN FOR ANN ARBOR REGIONAL
The second-seeded Duke women's golf team is prepped for the 2026 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional, which will take place May 11-13 at the 6,245-yard, par-71 University of Michigan Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
No. 10 Duke is set to compete in its 33rd-consecutive NCAA Regional and features 10 regional titles over school history under head coach Dan Brooks.
The 12 teams competing in the regional will be Southern California, Duke, Central Florida, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Northwestern, Kansas, Texas Tech, UNLV, Columbia, Quinnipiac and Oakland.
The regional will be a 54-hole tournament with 18 holes played each day. Duke opens action on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. (ET), off hole No. 1.
The NCAA regionals feature six different regional sites with 12 teams (72 total) and six individuals (36 total). The top five teams and top individual (not on an advancing team) will advance from each regional site to the championships, which will be held for the third time at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, May 22-27.
Round 1?? tee times ???? pic.twitter.com/vqLAbrmYiu
— Duke Women's Golf (@DukeWGOLF) May 10, 2026
COVERAGE
Fans will be able to follow the action with live scoring at Scoreboard Powered by clippd. Golf Channel will deliver expanded coverage of the final day of the NCAA regional championship, Wednesday, May 13. Coverage will feature updates throughout the day that will be published to Golf Channel Digital and through Golf Channel social media handles, concluding with live news segments announcing the teams and individuals who qualified for the national championship.
Babygrande Golf will provide live video coverage of all six NCAA regional sites, but will be behind a pay wall. Everyone can also follow along on Twitter (@DukeWGOLF), Instagram (DukeWGolf) and Facebook as well.
THE DUKE LINEUP
Duke will feature a lineup of graduate student Andie Smith, junior Katie Li, sophomore Anna Cañado Espinal, freshman Rianne Malixi and freshman Avery McCrery. Malixi and McCrery will make their debut in NCAA action this week.
BIRDIES FOR BABIES
Spearheaded by 2019 Blue Devil graduate Virginia Elena Carta, the Duke men's and women's golf programs have continued their fundraising program benefitting the Duke Children's Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Units called Birdies for Babies. Duke has raised $16,592.30 so far this season and over the nine years of the program, it has raised $148,463.67.
In November of 2023, the Duke Children's Hospital dedicated a room for the program since the Blue Devils reached the $100,000 mark in earnings.
Those looking to support the partnership with the Duke Children's can make pledges per birdie. Pledges will start at $0.50 and high pledge increments are welcome. If the Blue Devils register an eagle (counts as two birdies), albatross (three birdies) and hole-in-one (four birdies) they will count as stated.
For more information, head to https://giving.dukechildrens.org/ways-to-give/duke-athletics-partnerships
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Duke is currently ranked No. 10 in the latest Scoreboard golf rankings and No. 11 in the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) ledger.
Individually, in the Scoreboard rankings four Blue Devils are ranked in the top 100 -- Rianne Malixi (7), Katie Li (45), Andie Smith (77) and Avery McCrery (100).
MALIXI FEATURING IMPRESSIVE SPRING
Duke freshman Rianne Malixi continues to have a very impressive spring campaign for the Blue Devils as she has moved up to a season-best No. 7 nationally in the latest Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings.
A native of Manilla, Philippines, Malixi has carded a 68.67 stroke average in four tournaments this spring. She has posted six rounds in the 60s and shot a combined 31-under-par in those four events. Malixi turned in a first-place finish at the Sea Best Intercollegiate, runner-up finish at the ACC Championship, a third-place ledger at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and a tied for third-place finish at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational.
Malixi also competed in the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play along the way and went a perfect, 3-0, helping lead the Blue Devils into the championship match. She shot a combined 15-under-par in the three matches during the week.
At the Sea Best Intercollegiate, Malixi claimed her first collegiate victory in record fashion as she carded a 9-under-par, 63, in the final round and a 54-hole score of 16-under-par, 200. The round of 63 tied for the lowest 18-hole score on a par-72 course in Duke history and the 3-day total of 200 was the lowest score in Blue Devil lore. Malixi's 16-under score was tied for the 20th lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in NCAA history and her 63 was tied for the 21st lowest 18-hole score as well. She also became just the 15th freshman to shoot a 63 or better in NCAA action.
Malixi closed the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate with a course record of 8-under, 63, as she went on to finish third overall with a 4-under, 209.
TRENDS/NOTES
• Duke is one of only seven teams nationally to compete in every regional since the NCAA began regional action. The Blue Devils along with Arizona, Arizona State, Southern California, Stanford, UCLA and Wake Forest have competed in all 33 regionals.
• Rianne Malixi has been tabbed one of 15 golfers on The ANNIKA Award Postseason Watch List heading into the NCAA Regionals. Malixi was also named to the WGCA National Player of the Year and WGCA Rookie of the Year watch lists.
• Dan Brooks was named one of 20 watch list selections for the 2025-26 Division I Jackie Steinmann Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) National Coach of the Year. Brooks is a seven-time national coach of the year honoree.
• Over the last two events, junior Katie Li has collected a 70.67 stroke average with an eighth-place finish at the Charles Schwab Invitational and an 11th-place ledger at the ACC Championship. She has turned in seven straight rounds of even or under par over the last three events.
• Freshman Avery McCrery returned to the lineup for the ACC Championship after missing the last two tournaments due to an injury. She posted rounds of 69, 74 and 75 for a 2-over, 218, in her return. McCrery placed tied for 35th, which was the second-lowest finish of her freshman season.
• Rianne Malixi leads Duke with 91 birdies on the season, while Katie Li is second with 88.
• Rianne Malixi is moving up the overall Duke single-season rankings. She is tied for tied for ninth in rounds in the 60s and third in stroke average (70.71).
• In the latest World Amateur Golf Rankings, Rianne Malixi (14), Andie Smith (91), Katie Li (116), Avery McCrery (151) and Anna Cañado Espinal (234) are in the top 240.
NCAA REGIONAL EXPERIENCE
Duke will travel a team that features three golfers -- Andie Smith, Katie Li and Anna Cañado Espinal - that have experience playing in the NCAA Regionals.
In her first appearance in 2023, Smith posted scores of 73, 73 and 69 for a 1-under, 215, to place fourth. She also netted her first collegiate hole-in-one as well in her home state of Florida. In 2024, Smith posted scores of 72, 72 and 73 for a 1-over, 217, to finish seventh. Last year, she tied for 17th with scores of 73-72-73 for a 2-over, 218.
In 2024, Li posted rounds of 73, 75 and 73 to finish tied for 13th with a 5-over, 221, and last year tied for 45th with rounds of 77, 74 and 74 for a 9-over, 225. As a rookie in 2025, Cañado Espinal tied for 59th with a 16-over, 232, with rounds of 80, 75 and 77.
BLUE DEVILS IN THE NCAAS
This marks the 33rd consecutive year there has been a regional system for women's golf. Duke has advanced to nationals 27 of the last 31 times, finishing in the top four of the regional in 25 of the 27 years the squad has advanced.
Duke has posted five individual medalists at the regionals as Beth Bauer won the East Regional in 1999 after shooting 74-70-71=215, Virada Nirapathpongporn won in 2001 with a 65-73-71=209, Leigh Anne Hardin won in 2002 with rounds of 71-67-72=210, Anna Grzebien won in 2005 with rounds of 73-69-67=209 and Leona Maguire won in 2015 with rounds of 72-78-72=212.
NCAA REGIONAL TITLES
Duke owns 10 NCAA Regional titles over school history, which ranks second all-time in NCAA action. Southern California owns 14 titles, while Duke (10), UCLA (8), Stanford (8), Arizona (6), Georgia (6), South Carolina (6) and Arizona State (5) have won five or more regional championships.
The Blue Devils have won regional titles in 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2018.
BLUE DEVILS IN THE 60S
Duke currently features six golfers who have shot 69 or better in a round this season -- Katie Li, Andie Smith, Rianne Malixi, Anna Cañado Espinal, Avery McCrery and Carla De Troia. It marks the first time in program history the Blue Devils have featured six different golfers to shoot 69 or better in a round.
Smith, Malixi and Li lead Duke with 13 rounds of even or under par. Malixi leads the Blue Devils with seven rounds in the 60s this year, while Li has five and Smith has four.
Duke had five golfers shoot 69 or better in 2024-25, 2023-24, 2020-21, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2013-14, 2009-10, 2005-06 and 2003-04.
ONE OF ONLY THREE TEAMS NATIONALLY
Duke is one of only three teams nationally that have four players on the roster that have won at least one tournament over their career. Joining the Blue Devils is Texas and Stanford.
Graduate student Andie Smith (2024 Tar Heel Invitational), sophomore Anna Cañado Espinal (2025 Chattanooga Classic), junior Katie Li (2024 Florida State Match-Up) and Rianne Malixi (Sea Best Intercollegiate) have won tournaments in their short careers.
FRESHMAN RECORD BOOKS
Duke rookie Rianne Malixi is set to etch her name throughout the Duke freshman record charts. She has already set records for lowest 18-hole score, lowest 36-hole ledger and 54-hole score.
If the season ended today, her 70.71 stroke average would be the lowest in program history, which would be just ahead of Leona Maguire (70.78) from the 2014-15 season. Her 13 rounds of even or under par are tied for ninth and her four top-5 finishes are tied for ninth.
Malixi is the first freshman golfer in NCAA history to shoot multiple rounds of 63 or better in a rookie season.
With her seven rounds in the 60s, Malixi ranks fourth on Duke's freshman record charts. Leona Maguire (10), Jaravee Boonchant (8), Brittany Lang (8), Malixi (7), Liz Janangelo (6), Yu Liu (5), Virginia Elena Carta (5) and Amanda Blumenherst (5) are in the top five.
AVERAGES
Go in depth with the Blue Devils to see how many birdies, greens, fairways and putts they average during rounds in 2025-26.
Birdies Greens Fairways Putts
Andie Smith 2.7 12.6 9.8 31.1
Katie Li 3.3 13.4 9.0 31.6
Anna Cañado Espinal 2.7 13.4 10.4 32.0
Carla De Troia 1.9 11.1 9.5 32.0
Rianne Malixi 3.9 13.2 10.3 30.6
Avery McCrery 2.7 13.4 10.0 32.9
Malixi's 3.9 birdies per round this season is the highest average for a Duke golfer in program history. Ana Belac (3.8 in 2019-20), Gina Kim (3.7 in 2021-22), Miranda Wang (3.6 in 2019-20) and Phoebe Brinker (3.4 in 2023-24) are in the top five.
McCrery's 13.4 greens per round ranks tied for fifth all-time on Duke's record charts. Jaravee Boonchant (14.1 in 2020-21), Virginia Elena Carta (14.0 in 2018-19), Gina Kim (13.7 in 2019-20), Erica Shepherd (13.6 in 2019-20) and Emma McMyler (13.4 in 2023-24) rank in the top five.
Malixi's 30.6 putts per round ranks third in Duke history -- Gina Kim (30.0 in 2020-21), Gina Kim (30.3 in 2021-22), Andie Smith (30.6 in 2024-25), Anne Chen (30.6 in 2021-22), Erica Shepherd (30.6 in 2021-22) and Megan Furtney (30.6 in 2019-20).
**These stats started being kept in 2018-19.
MALIXI TO COMPETE IN ARNOLD PALMER CUP
The 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup teams were announced with Duke standout freshman Rianne Malixi selected to compete for the International squad at Tralee Golf Links in West Barrow, Ireland July 3-5.
The Arnold Palmer Cup was co-founded by Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and began at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida, in 1997. The event is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men's and women's university/college golfers matching the United States against a team of international players.
Malixi becomes the seventh Blue Devil to be selected to compete at the Arnold Palmer Cup – Erica Shepherd (2022 and 2021), Jon Whithaus (2021), Gina Kim (2021 and 2020), Dan Brooks (2020), Ana Belac (2019) and Jaravee Boonchant (2018).
IN THE RECORD BOOK
In the Duke career record book, junior Andie Smith is moving up the charts. She ranks fourth with 21 rounds in the 60s over her four seasons. She needs two more to move into a tie for third along with Lindy Duncan (23). Smith is also tied for ninth with 49 rounds of even or under par and needs three to move into a tie for eighth along with Celine Boutier (52).
Rounds in the 60s
NAME TOTAL
1. Leona Maguire, 2015-18 32
2. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 30
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 23
4. Liz Janangelo, 2003-06 21
Andie Smith, 2023-present 21
6. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 19
Ana Belac, 2017-20 19
8. Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 16
9. Virginia Elena Carta, 2016-19 15
Anna Grzebien, 2004-07 15
Brittany Lang, 2004-05 15
Jaravee Boonchant, 2018-21 15
Even Or Under Par Rounds
NAME TOTAL
1. Leona Maguire, 2015-18 87
2. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 78
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 72
4. Liz Janangelo, 2003-06 55
5. Virada Nirapathpongporn, 2001-04 54
Jaravee Boonchant, 2018-21 54
7. Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 53
8. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 52
9. Ana Belac, 2017-20 49
Andie Smith, 2023-present 49
Most Birdies
NAME TOTAL
1. Amanda Blumenherst, 2006-09 441
2. Elizabeth Janangelo, 2003-06 391
3. Lindy Duncan, 2010-13 370
4. Anna Grzebien, 2004-07 351
Phoebe Brinker, 2021-24 351
6. Celine Boutier, 2013-16 338
7. Ana Belac, 2017-20 333
8. Virada Nirapathpongporn, 2001-04 331
9. Andie Smith, 2023-present 327
10. Laetitia Beck, 2011-14 322
LI, MALIXI EARN ALL-ACC RECOGNITION
The tandem of Katie Li and Rianne Malixi received All-ACC recognition and Malixi was tabbed ACC Freshman of the Year following a vote of the league's head coaches.
Li earned All-ACC honors for the second time in her collegiate career, while Malixi earned honors for the first time. Malixi is the 17th Blue Devil to receive ACC Freshman of the Year accolades and the first since 2015.
A native of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Li has compiled a career-best 71.74 stroke average on the season with three top-10 and five top-20 finishes. Her 13 rounds of even or under par rank tied for first on the Duke squad. She also added five rounds in the 60s. Li garnered top-11 finishes at the ACC Championship (T11th), Charles Schwab Invitational (8th), Sea Best Intercollegiate (4th) and Windy City Collegiate (T6th).
Over the past two events, Li has collected a 70.67 stroke average with eighth-place and 11th-place finishes. She has notched seven straight rounds of even or under par dating back to the last three tournaments. Li is currently ranked No. 45 nationally in the Scoreboard Powered by clippd rankings.
Malixi, a product of Manila, Philippines, has turned in one of the best spring seasons in Duke women's golf history, shooting 31-under-par for a 68.67 stroke average. Eight of her 12 rounds in the spring have been even or under par scores. Currently ranked No. 7 nationally, Malixi is the highest ranked rookie in NCAA Division I women's golf.
She collected her first collegiate victory to open the spring season by totaling rounds of 71, 66 and 63 to shoot 16-under-par at the Sea Best Intercollegiate. Malixi has also placed second at the ACC Championship, third at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and tied for third at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational. She recently collected a school-record 45-hole stretch of bogey-free golf at the ACC Championship.
Other Duke ACC Freshman of the Year selections include Jenny Chuasiriporn (1995-96), Kalen Anderson (1997-98), Beth Bauer (1998-99), Maria Garcia-Estrada (1999-2000), Virada Nirapathpongporn (2000-01), Niloufar Aazam-Zanganeh (2001-02), Liz Janangelo (2002-03), Brittany Lang (2003-04), Jennifer Pandolfi (2004-05), Amanda Blumenherst (2005-06), Alison Whitaker (2006-07), Lindy Duncan (2009-10), Laetitia Beck (2010-11), Celine Boutier (2012-13), Yu Liu (2013-14) and Leona Maguire (2014-15).
DUKE WINS WINDY CITY COLLEGIATE CLASSIC
Duke fired a team-best 7-under-par, 281, in the final round to come-from-behind to finish as co-champions of the Windy City Collegiate Classic, which was contested at the 6,368-yard, par-72 Glen View Club in Golf.
The Blue Devils along with host Northwestern finished the 54-hole event with a 13-under-par, 851, to finish as co-champions. Duke fired three rounds in the red (283, 287, 281) to post its first win of the season and 145th of Blue Devil head coach Dan Brooks impressive career. The victory came on Brooks' birthday as well.
It marked the first team title at the Windy City Collegiate Classic in nine appearances for the Blue Devils. Brooks has guided Duke to at least one victory in 40 of his 42 seasons in Durham.
As a team, Duke featured three golfers in the top six individually -- Anna Cañado Espinal (T4, -5), Andie Smith (T6, -4) and Katie Li (T6, -4), while freshman Avery McCrery carded her first collegiate top-20 finish (T18, E).
ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACH
Blue Devil head coach Dan Brooks became the all-time winningest women's golf coach in NCAA Division I history in the fall of 2005 as he won his 92nd career tournament title at the Stanford Pepsi Intercollegiate Oct. 23, 2005. Brooks passed Mark Gale of San Jose State who won 91 career tournaments from 1978-96.
Brooks now has 145 career tournament wins over his 42 seasons. He has guided Duke to at least one victory in 40 of his 42 years.
THE HEAD COACH
Dan Brooks is in his 42nd season as the head coach of the Blue Devils. The 1981 graduate of Oregon State has led Duke to 21 ACC Championships over the years. Brooks owns the school's seven National Championships in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2014 and 2019.
Brooks' teams have finished with a top-20 ranking 35 times, while 23 of his squads have earned a top-10 finish in a NCAA Tournament-- 1987 (T7th), 1988 (5th), 1994 (4th), 1996 (7th), 1998 (4th), 1999 (1st), 2001 (2nd), 2002 (1st), 2003 (10th), 2004 (3rd), 2005 (1st), 2006 (1st), 2007 (1st), 2008 (3rd), 2009 (6th), 2010 (T8th), 2013 (2nd), 2014 (1st), 2015 (semis), 2016 (semis), 2018 (6th), 2019 (1st), 2021 (semis).
In 42 years, his teams have won 145 tournaments, which is a NCAA record for women's golf. He was named the 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2021 ACC Coach of the Year for his efforts and 1999, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2014 and 2019 National Coach of the Year.
Brooks' seven NCAA titles is the most in women's golf -- 5, Linda Vollstedt (Arizona State), 3, Mark Gale (San Jose State) and Andrea Gaston (Southern California).
BLUE DEVILS ON THE PRO TOURS
The Duke women's golf program once again has a heavy influence on the LPGA, Epson Tour and Ladies European Tour.
The Blue Devils have 12 former golfers on the LPGA with Celine Boutier, Lindy Duncan, Ana Belac, Miranda Wang, Brittany Lang, Yu Liu, Leona Maguire, Erica Shepherd, Laetitia Beck, Gina Kim, Emma McMyler and Anne Chen competing.
Duke also features Jaravee Boonchant on the KLPGA and Virginia Elena Carta has competed on the Ladies European Tour.
BROOKS ADDS SOLID CLASS FOR 2025-26
Duke head coach Dan Brooks announced in November the signing of two of the top-rated recruits nationally with the addition of Mia Hammond and Martina Navarro Navarro. The duo will join the Blue Devils in the fall of 2026.
Hammond, a native of New Albany, Ohio, was the only amateur golfer to win on the Epson Tour in 2025 as she carded rounds of 66, 66 and 69 for a 12-under, 201, at the Greater Toledo Classic hosted by Stacy Lewis in Sylvania, Ohio. She is one of only seven amateurs in the history of the Epson Tour to win a professional event.
Navarro Navarro, who hails from Alicante, Spain, competed in the 2024 PING Junior Solheim Cup and the Junior Vagliano Trophy. She claimed the titles at the 2023 Puntauble Nacional Juvenil, 2024 Madrid Championship and the 2025 Spanish Championship of Federations. Navarro Navarro was also the runner-up at the 2023 R&A Girls Amateur Championship, runner-up at the 2024 European Young Masters Championship and tied for third at the 2024 Spanish International Ladies Amateur.
SEVEN-TIME NCAA CHAMPIONS
The Duke women's golf team are seven-time NCAA Champions. The Blue Devils won their first title in 1999, a second in 2002, third in 2005, fourth in 2006, fifth in 2007, sixth in 2014 and seventh in 2019. Duke became only the second team along with Arizona State to win three straight national titles (1995-97).
Virada Nirapathpongporn (2002), Candy Hannemann (2003), Anna Grzebien (2005) and Virginia Elena Carta (2016) each have won individual titles. The Blue Devils became only the third squad in NCAA history to post the individual champion in two straight years in 2001 and 2002.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Andie Smith, Duke | Interview | CGN
Thursday, November 13
Karcher-Ingram Golf Center Facility Tour
Friday, October 03
Anna Grzebien: Duke Hall of Famer
Saturday, November 02
Duke Athletics: A Tour of Campus
Saturday, October 19
