Vanderbilt's Ava Merrill earns co-medalist honors at The Fin for first college win
The senior finished at 5 under; the Commodores placed sixth to close their fall season.
FAIRFIELD, TEXAS - Vanderbilt senior Ava Merrill earned co-medalist honors at The Fin at Freestone Lake and Golf Club on Wednesday, Oct. 21, finishing at 5 under par for the tournament, according to a Vanderbilt Athletics release. It was her first college victory.
Merrill shot a 2-under 70 in the final round, making three straight birdies on holes 2 through 4 late in her round after bogeys on the 16th and 18th, the release says.
Vanderbilt finished sixth as a team at 29 over. Its 5-over final round was the second-best team score of the day. Claire Henson shot a 1-under 71 Wednesday, and Elizabeth Rudisill, playing as an individual, tied for 11th at 5 over.
"I am so incredibly proud of Ava," head coach Greg Allen said in the release.
The Commodores return to competition in January at the Dominican Republic Classic.
Source: Vanderbilt Athletics, women's golf release, Oct. 21, 2026 (https://vucommodores.com/news/2026/10/21/merrill-claims-co-medalist-honors-at-the-fin).