NEW ORLEANS – Junior golfer Mercedes Aldana of South Alabama Claimed Sun Belt Conference Women’s Golfer of the Week following her career-low, five-under par 208 and fifth place finish in the 29th Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship.
The Buenos Aires, Argentina, native led South Alabama to a sixth-place finish among the field and a team three-round total of 861 strokes, fourth lowest in a tournament in program history and lowest since 2024. Aldana carded a three-under 68 in the first round at the 5,965-yard par-71 Cherokee Country Club for a new career low. The opening round also marked her second career round under 70.
She turned in an even 71 in round two and posted her third career round under 70 with a two-under 69 in the final round. Her five-under, 208 place her in a three-way tie for fifth and led all Jaguars at the event. She was tied for fourth amongst the field on Par 4s (3.90) and Par 5s (4.60). She led South Alabama with 12 birdies which ranked sixth in the field.
Aldana’s Performances
| Tournament |
Par |
Yardage |
Ind. Finish |
Team Finish |
Round 1 |
Round 2 |
Round 3 |
Total |
| Mercedes-Benz Collegiate |
71 |
5,965 |
T-5th |
6th/15 |
68
-3 |
71
E |
69
-2 |
208
-5 |
Sun Belt Women’s Golfers of the Week
Week 1 (Sept. 11) – Manya Saini, Troy
Week 2 (Sept. 17) – Bella Flores, James Madison & Roberta Alvarez, Troy
Week 3 (Sept. 24) – Lucia Gonzalez, Old Dominion
Week 4 (Oct. 1) – Puneet Bajwa, Old Dominion
Week 5 (Oct. 9) – Mercedez Aldana, South Alabama