TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – No. 4 Stanford finds itself tied for 11th with South Carolina and Campbell with a 3-over 291 through the first round of the NCAA East Regional Championships.
Mariah Stackhouse tied for third with a 4-under 68 on Thursday. Stackhouse’s bogey-free round included birdies on three of the course’s four par-5 holes.
“We shot a number consistent with our season average,” said Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women’s Golf Anne Walker. “We are only five shots out of fifth, and that’s what we were focused on. We knew coming here that it would be incredibly tough, and so far that’s the case. We just have to stick to our game plan and trust that it will be enough to clinch a spot in the finals.”
No. 12 Vanderbilt blistered the course with a women’s collegiate record 277 and is the first-round leader at Southwood Golf Club. The Commodores were led by Simin Feng and Jenny Hahn who shot identical scores of 4-under 68, which places the pair in a tie for third in the individual standings.
Tulane’s Emily Penttila shot a career-best and women’s course-record 65 and is the individual leader after the first of three rounds.
Second-ranked Duke, the top seed in the 24-team field, is in fourth place. The Blue Devils are seven strokes behind Vanderbilt.
Lauren Kim’s even-par opener came with two birdies and as many bogeys. Kim is tied for 28th.
Casey Danielson was 1-over with a 73 and sits in a tie for 46th. Danielson was 2-under through seven before three bogeys set her back.
Marissa Mar shot a 78 with Mariko Tumangan adding a 79.
The 56-hole tournament resumes Friday. The top eight teams and top two individuals not on one of the top eight advancing teams will earn a bid into the NCAA Championships (May 20-24).