The final round of the Coke Dr Pepper Open women’s pro golf tournament concluded Saturday at Links on the Bayou in Alexandria, crowning a new champion for the 2026 season.

Katie Lu of Aiken, South Carolina, captured her first ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour title, finishing two strokes ahead of Kate Villegas. Lu closed the week at 20-under par, highlighted by a bogey-free 6-under-par final round.

The Michigan State graduate held off a strong charge from Villegas, with both players sitting at 2-under through the turn before Lu pulled ahead down the stretch.

“Kate was playing so well the entire day. It was kind of fun because we were bouncing off each other with birdies,” said Lu. “I knew exactly where I was throughout the round, and that’s what makes it so exciting when scores are close like that.”

An ambassador for the ANNIKA Development Program, Lu boasts an impressive amateur résumé. She was a recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award during her senior year at Michigan State, earned a sponsor exemption into the 2024 Meijer LPGA Open, and was one of three Spartans to compete in the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“To see my hard work pay off is such a great feeling,” Lu said. “I’ve really been working on handling pressure, and I just embraced the nerves. It turned out great.”

With the victory, Lu adds to a strong start to the season, recording her second top-10 finish on the ANNIKA WAPT in 2026.