Freshman Robynn Ree outlasted sophomore Amy Lee by one stroke for her first collegiate victory while junior Tiffany Chan followed her underclassmen teammates in third to lead the No. 1 USC women’s golf team to the team title at the Gold Rush at the Old Ranch C.C. in Seal Beach, Calif., on Tuesday (Feb. 23).

USC secured its third win of the season and the first of the spring at 1-under 863 (286-285-292), 18 better than second-place Fresno State and 27 better than host Long Beach State.

Ree, Chan and Lee, who was playing as an individual and not part of the team scoring, were battling atop the leader board throughout the final round.

Lee held the lead at 2-under midway through the final round and Chan joined her there after a birdie on 16. Lee got to 3-under when she finished her round with a birdie on 16, just missing an eagle in the process. But they were both passed by Ree, who birdied 15, 16 and 17 to get to 4-under and then clinched the individual win with a tap-in on 18.

Ree’s 4-under 212 (70-71-71) win was her second top 2 this season and her third finish in the top 8. She opened her round with nine pars before bogeys on 10 and 12. But she steadied herself down the stretch for the win.

Lee’s finish at 3-under 213 (74-70-69) was her second top 2 in a row after a tie for first at the Matador Invitational two weeks ago. She sank six birdies today and came close to a few others. Her 69 was a season-best.

Chan’s third-place effort at 2-under 212 (75-68-71) is a USC best for her. She had two birdies and one bogey during her final round.

Junior Karen Chung tied for ninth at 4-over 220 (70-75-75) for her third top 10 this season while senior Kyung Kim tied for 12th at 6-over 222 (73-71-78). Junior Gabriella Then rounded out USC’s efforts, tied for 23rd at 10-over 226 (73-78-75).

This is the second time USC finished with four players in the top 10 this season and the first since the season-opening Annika Intercollegiate. The last time USC finished with three in the top 3 was at the Bruin Wave Invitational on March 4, 2014, when Kim won the event and Annie Park and Doris Chen tied for second.

The Trojans return to the links March 4-6 at the Darius Rucker Invitational at Long Cove C.C. in Hilton Head, S.C.