University of Tennessee Athletics
PREVIEW: #16 Tennessee Set to Host 29th Annual Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate
October 03, 2026 | Women's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 16 Tennessee women's golf team is staying home for its third tournament of the fall season as the program is set to host the 29th annual Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate at Cherokee Country Club.
18 holes are set to be played on each day of the three-day tournament. Round one will begin on Sunday, October 4, before the event wraps up with round three on Tuesday, October 6. Approximately three miles from the University of Tennessee campus, Cherokee Country Club will host the event for the 13th consecutive year. The par-71 course will play at 5,965 yards this week.
Considered one of the premier annual tournaments in college golf, 2026 marks the 29th Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate. Serving as the event host each year, Tennessee has claimed the team tournament title four times. The Lady Vols are defending the title in 2026, as Tennessee won the tournament in 2025 to kick start a historic season for the program. On the individual side, Tennessee has had three tournament champions, most recently Erica Popson in 2010.
Faced with challenging conditions and a difficult source in the team's last outing at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Tennessee notched a fourth-place finish. The Lady Vols had four separate golfers close the tournament in the top-15. Madison Messimer tied for fourth place individually as one of just five players to conclude the event with a 54-hole score under par.
Tennessee Lineup
Sophie Christopher
Christopher continued a strong start to the season at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, tallying her second consecutive top-10 finish. The junior has shot under par in four of her six rounds this season, holding an impressive 71.17 scoring average. Dating back to the Spring, Christopher has finished within the top 20 in six of her last eight tournaments.
Madison Messimer
Despite competing outside the lineup as an individual at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Messimer showcased why she was a First Team All-SEC selection in the 2025-26 season. The sophomore was one of just five players to conclude the event with a score under par, posting a 1-under-par 54-hole score to tie for fourth place.
Sofie Engesæth
Engesæth was another Lady Vol who earned a top-15 finish at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. The senior tied for 11th place at 8-over-par for her second consecutive top-25 placement to open the Fall. Engesæth has shot par or better in three of her six rounds this season.
Kyra Van Kan
Van Kan was the fourth Lady Vol to place in the top-15 in Canada, also tying for 11th place at 8-over-par in her season debut. Her tournament was highlighted by a 3-under-par 69 in round two, the lowest by a Tennessee golfer in the event. The Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate will be the second tournament of the season for Van Kan after a Third Team All-America campaign in 2025-26.
An Le Chuc
Chuc was named SEC Freshman of the Week after earning a top-10 finish at the Cougar Classic to open the season, where she concluded at 2-under-par. She is set to compete in the Tennessee team lineup for the second time this week at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.
Tanjira Issaraphon (i)
After making her Tennessee debut in the team lineup at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Issaraphon will compete as an individual at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate. Boasting an impressive junior golf resume, Issaraphon will look to improve in her second collegiate appearance.
Martina Lopez-Lanchares (i)
Lopez-Lanchares made her season debut for Tennessee at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, closing in 32nd place at 15-over-par. The senior from San Sebastian, Spain, owns eight career top-25 finishes and 16 rounds of par or better.
The Field
Host: Tennessee
Abilene Christian
Baylor
Campbell
Charleston Southern
Chattanooga
East Carolina
East Tennessee State
Eastern Kentucky
Florida International
High Point
Kennesaw State
South Alabama
South Florida
Western Kentucky
18 holes are set to be played on each day of the three-day tournament. Round one will begin on Sunday, October 4, before the event wraps up with round three on Tuesday, October 6. Approximately three miles from the University of Tennessee campus, Cherokee Country Club will host the event for the 13th consecutive year. The par-71 course will play at 5,965 yards this week.
Considered one of the premier annual tournaments in college golf, 2026 marks the 29th Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate. Serving as the event host each year, Tennessee has claimed the team tournament title four times. The Lady Vols are defending the title in 2026, as Tennessee won the tournament in 2025 to kick start a historic season for the program. On the individual side, Tennessee has had three tournament champions, most recently Erica Popson in 2010.
Faced with challenging conditions and a difficult source in the team's last outing at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Tennessee notched a fourth-place finish. The Lady Vols had four separate golfers close the tournament in the top-15. Madison Messimer tied for fourth place individually as one of just five players to conclude the event with a 54-hole score under par.
Tennessee Lineup
Sophie Christopher
Christopher continued a strong start to the season at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, tallying her second consecutive top-10 finish. The junior has shot under par in four of her six rounds this season, holding an impressive 71.17 scoring average. Dating back to the Spring, Christopher has finished within the top 20 in six of her last eight tournaments.
Madison Messimer
Despite competing outside the lineup as an individual at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Messimer showcased why she was a First Team All-SEC selection in the 2025-26 season. The sophomore was one of just five players to conclude the event with a score under par, posting a 1-under-par 54-hole score to tie for fourth place.
Sofie Engesæth
Engesæth was another Lady Vol who earned a top-15 finish at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. The senior tied for 11th place at 8-over-par for her second consecutive top-25 placement to open the Fall. Engesæth has shot par or better in three of her six rounds this season.
Kyra Van Kan
Van Kan was the fourth Lady Vol to place in the top-15 in Canada, also tying for 11th place at 8-over-par in her season debut. Her tournament was highlighted by a 3-under-par 69 in round two, the lowest by a Tennessee golfer in the event. The Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate will be the second tournament of the season for Van Kan after a Third Team All-America campaign in 2025-26.
An Le Chuc
Chuc was named SEC Freshman of the Week after earning a top-10 finish at the Cougar Classic to open the season, where she concluded at 2-under-par. She is set to compete in the Tennessee team lineup for the second time this week at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate.
Tanjira Issaraphon (i)
After making her Tennessee debut in the team lineup at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, Issaraphon will compete as an individual at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate. Boasting an impressive junior golf resume, Issaraphon will look to improve in her second collegiate appearance.
Martina Lopez-Lanchares (i)
Lopez-Lanchares made her season debut for Tennessee at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational, closing in 32nd place at 15-over-par. The senior from San Sebastian, Spain, owns eight career top-25 finishes and 16 rounds of par or better.
The Field
Host: Tennessee
Abilene Christian
Baylor
Campbell
Charleston Southern
Chattanooga
East Carolina
East Tennessee State
Eastern Kentucky
Florida International
High Point
Kennesaw State
South Alabama
South Florida
Western Kentucky
Players Mentioned
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Sunday, May 18
Friday, May 16
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