Fiona Xu was one of two people who could make history this week at the 2026 Copper Rock Championship, and she pulled through. Xu won this event in 2024 and now made history as the first player to win this event twice.
Last time, Xu set the 54-hole record at 22-under, which still stands today on the Epson Tour. She shot 13-under this year to win by three strokes. Despite the tough winds, Xu shot 3-under on her front nine, and with two more birdies on the back, she finished at 4-under for the day.
Xu said, “It feels really amazing, pretty surreal, and it hasn’t sunk in yet, but to do it again here is pretty special.” She said she had been struggling since the season started so was surprised by the win. Xu’s story just goes to show you never know what sticking to your process – in her case, her new mental cues for refocusing – will bring.
Two players chasing Xu – Ashley Menne and Annabelle Pancake-Webb – both shot 67 (-5) today to run up the leaderboard but ended up tied in second with Maddie Szeryk-DiBello at 10-under.
“I just kind of felt like everything was clicking for the first time in the four weeks that I’ve been out here,” said Menne. “Putting was good and my ball striking was great, too. And it kind of just happened. It felt good finally to put a good score out and finish strong.”
Pancake-Webb added, “I actually really like it when it gets windy because it takes out the players who can’t control the ball. So, ball striking is usually my strength, so if I can keep the spin low, I think that’s the strength of mine, so I actually like it. I also have a knock down shot with my irons and my driver that I use in England and Ireland. So, really, I was just looking forward to it because I know that I can have fun with it.”
Xu earned $37,500 and 500 points in the Race for the Card, which has boosted her into 12th on the list from 131st. The top 15 players at the end of the season earn their LPGA Tour cards.
The Epson Tour has a three-week break until their next stretch of events begin again in Michigan on June 12, 2026.
