Former BYU women's golfer Lea Garner finished in third place at the 2026 Larry H. Miller Utah Women's Open at TalonsCove Golf Club on Tuesday. Garner finished with a 7-under 137, following rounds of 69 and 68.
Garner was one of nine current or former BYU Cougars competing in the 74-player field. Three of the nine participants finished in the top 10, while six placed within the top 25.
In her first round, Garner recorded birdies on holes 1 and 3, a bogey on hole 4, a birdie on hole 7, and a bogey on hole 8. She also made an eagle on the final hole of the front nine to reach 3-under at the turn. Despite a double bogey on hole 10, she responded with birdies on holes 13 and 15 to finish the round at 3-under 69.
Garner followed her opening round with a bogey-free 4-under 68. After playing the front nine at even par, she secured birdies on holes 12, 15, 16, and 18.
Other notable performances from the BYU group included former Cougar Kerstin Ngakuru, who tied for fourth with a 6-under 138. Current BYU assistant coach Alexandra White rounded out the top 10 after shooting 3-under 141.
Recent graduate Sunbin Seo tied for 12th with a 1-under 143. Current BYU seniors Whitney Banz and Berlin Long finished in 16th and 33rd place, respectively.
Former BYU women's golf coach Sue Nyhus tied for 25th, while former BYU assistant coach and current Utah Valley head coach Juli Erekson tied for 33rd. Provo native Stephanie Belnap tied for 51st.
Ali Mulhall won the tournament with a 14-under total, finishing seven strokes ahead of Garner.
