UCLA takes Northrop Grumman Challenge for 4th Straight Win

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA (February 13, 2018) - With the Northrop Grumman Challenge at Palos Verdes Golf Club in the books the title belongs to UCLA. The Bruins, led by co-medalist Lilia Vu, finished 15-over and four shots in front of runner-up and 36-hole co-leader Alabama (+19). Stanford (+24) was third, Arizona (+31) took fifth while defending NCAA champion Arizona State (+32) earned fifth. After a disappointing 4-over 75 in the first round Vu bounced back with rounds of 69-68 to share medalist honors at 1-under with Kaitlyn Papp of Texas and the leader after each of the first two rounds Olivia Mehaffey of Arizona State. The bogey-free 3-under 68 in the final round for Vu was the round of the day and it helped propel her to a second straight win and sixth career medalist title. For Vu the round included just three birdies that didn't come until deep into the round. Her first birdie fell on No. 9 while her remaining two were carded on the 15th and 16th holes. UCLA, winners of four consecutive tournaments, were helped to the title by the top-15 play from Bethany Wu (5th; +2) and Patty Tavatanakit (T11; +6). Both Mariel Galdiano (T30; +10) and Joo Seo (T76; +22) also contributed scores to the Bruins victory. Rounding out the top-five in the medalist standings were Stanford's Andrea Lee (+1) in fourth and Wu (+2).