STANFORD, Calif. – Junior Casey Danielson shot a 1-under-par 70 on Saturday to help third-ranked Stanford place second in the first round of the 21st Peg Barnard Invitational at Stanford Golf Course.
The defending national champion Cardinal posted a four-player score of 3-over-par total of 287, two strokes behind pacesetter Oregon. Cal is third at 289.
The final round will be played Sunday.
“Right about what I would have expected,” said Anne Walker, the Mitch and Margot Milias Director of Women’s Golf. “One of the traits of this team is that we’re pretty consistent, and that will win you a lot of golf tournaments. Great to see Casey play well.”
After a strong fall season that saw Stanford win two of three stroke-play tournaments, the 13-team event marks the start of the spring season. Weather was foggy at the start, causing a slight delay, but the sun broke through, resulting in warm sunshine on the windless day.
Sparked by a 50-foot birdie putt at the par-4 second hole, Danielson carded an even-par 35 on the front nine and 1-under 35 on the back.
“Nothing came easy but nothing went terribly wrong,” said Danielson, knotted in a five-way tie for first place. “I just felt really comfortable out there and it’s nice starting the spring on our home course.”
Danielson said putting was the key.
“I felt really confident from four, five, eight feet,” she said. “That really helped knowing the birdie putts and par putts have a chance.”
Like all of her teammates, Danielson enjoyed the holiday break but was excited to resume competition.
“We’ve had practice for three weeks, so we’re ready to see how our games shape up and see how we can improve until May,” said Danielson. “Being from Wisconsin (Osceola), I tried to take time off and it was snowing out. I just tried hit balls once or twice a week, just to keep my feel.”
Stanford received solid performances from senior All-Americans Lauren Kim from Los Altos, California and Mariah Stackhouse from Riverdale, Georgia. Kim (t-5) recorded a 71, shooting 1-under on her opening nine, while Stackhouse rebounded from a tough start to fashion three back nine birdies, capped by a 15-footer at the par-4 18th, and closed with a 1-under 35 to shoot 72 (t-10).
Junior Quirine Eijkenboom from Stamberg, Germany and sophomore Shannon Aubert from Stuart, Florida each shot 74 and are tied for 22nd. Aubert nearly sunk her approach at the par-4 18th hole and converted a short birdie putt.
Oregon placed three players in top 10. Caroline Inglis and Marcella Pranovia matched Danielson, Ying Luo of Washington and Ingrid Gutierrez of New Mexico with 70s.
Final round play on Sunday begins at 8 a.m. PST on the first tee and 8:25 a.m. on the 10th tee. The tournament is open to the public and admission is free.