Ole Miss Women’s Golf Faces Elite Field at Old Barnwell Derby Match Play

The University of Mississippi’s women’s golf team, ranked 17th nationally, is competing at the Old Barnwell Derby Match Play in Aiken, South Carolina. The tournament began Sunday with two matches and concludes Tuesday, with no play scheduled Monday due to weather conditions, according to organizers.

The event features eight of the top collegiate teams, seven of which are ranked inside the top 25 by Clippd. The teams compete in a bracket format over two days to crown a champion.

Ole Miss is led by standout sophomore Kajsalotta Svarvar, who has a season scoring average of 71.35 and recently set a career-low 54-hole score of 203, or 10 under par, at the Cougar Classic. She has three top-five finishes this season. Fellow sophomore Mary Miller has posted four top-15 finishes with a 72.25 scoring average. Junior Sophie Linder has seven rounds under par this season, and freshman Matilda Björkman has nine rounds at or below par, leading the team with nine birdies.

The Rebels have claimed two tournament victories this season, including back-to-back wins at the Cougar Classic in September. They have finished fourth or better in every event this year and aim to advance further at the Derby Match Play.

Ole Miss returns 70% of its roster, including senior Nicole Gal, who has a 73.60 scoring average and finished eighth at the Canadian Collegiate Invitational. The team also features new faces, such as Björkman and transfer Mary Miller, who made an immediate impact with top-10 finishes in recent tournaments. Head coach Kory Henkes and assistant Zack Siefert lead the squad into postseason competition with hopes of returning to the NCAA Tournament for an eighth consecutive year.

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