Michelle Xing’s first collegiate tournament was one for the UCLA women’s golf record books.
The freshman from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, delivered a remarkable performance at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, rallying from five shots behind to claim medalist honours in her UCLA debut. Her performance earned her both Big Ten Golfer of the Week and Freshman of the Week honours.
A member of Team Canada – NextGen, Xing finished the tournament at 9-under 207 after rounds of 70-72-65. Her final-round 7-under 65 was the week’s low round and tied the UCLA freshman record for the lowest 18-hole score, joining Bruins Bronte Law, Mariajo Uribe and Jane Park.
The victory was even more impressive given the conditions and the deficit Xing faced entering the final round.
After making par on her opening five holes, Xing caught fire, recording seven birdies over an eight-hole stretch. She ultimately carded eight birdies to move to 9-under for the tournament with five holes remaining.
A bogey on her 16th hole briefly interrupted her momentum, but Xing responded with a birdie on her final hole to finish 7-under for the day and secure the individual title by one stroke over Kovelesky.
Only 10 players finished under par at Royal Golf Club.
With the victory, Xing became the first Bruin in program history to win her first college event and the first UCLA freshman to claim an individual title since Francesca Fiorellini won the 2025 Bruin Wave Invitational.
Xing and the Bruins return to action September 21-22, 2026, at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational at Beacon Hall Golf Club in Ontario, giving the Canadian freshman the opportunity to compete in her home province.
