EUGENE, Ore. – Junior Casey Danielson produced the shot of the day, recording a hole-in-one at the 161-yard par-3 14th, to lead Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships at cloudy Eugene Country Club.
The defending national champions posted a four-player score of 7-over 295 on Friday and are tied for 12th.
“We played really well today,” said Anne Walker, the Milias Director of Women’s Golf. “We were 4-over on the 18th hole. If we go 1-over, the conversation is different. We’re two shots out of eighth.”
All 24 teams play Saturday and Sunday, when the field will be trimmed to 15 for the final round of medal play on Monday. The top eight advance to match play on Tuesday.
“Every day, the goal is to take one out of eight,” Walker said. “We’re a good enough team that one of these days we could be low scorer.”
Oklahoma State is the early pacesetter, combining for a 4-under 284.
Every Stanford player made at least one birdie, but Danielson outdid everybody. She pulled a 5-iron onto the water-guarded green at 14 and the ball trickled into the cup for an eagle, the second ace of her life.
“I was between clubs and into a little breeze,” said Danielson. “Usually I would hit a 6-iron, but I just wanted to get it back there and avoid the water.”
Danielson turned away and didn’t see the ball disappear. But her mother, Liz, screamed, and assistant coach Lauren Dobashi gave Danielson the good news.
Playing partners Julianne Alvarez of Washington and Summer Rocahell of Arkansas helped her celebrate.
“They were pretty excited, which was really fun,” Danielson said. “We had a good group.”
Her previous hole-in-one came during a practice round for the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Country Club of Charleston in South Carolina.
“Really cool,” said Walker.
After a slow start, Danielson toured the back nine in 3-under 32 and finished with a team-best 1-under 71 and is tied for 19th.
Hayley Moore of Arizona and August Kim of Purdue shot 68 and share the individual lead.
Cardinal senior Lauren Kim and sophomore Shannon Aubert checked in with 74s and are tied for 55th. Freshman Sierra Kersten shot 76 and is tied for 85th, while senior Mariah Stackhouse struggled to a 79 (t-122).
Conditions were cool and cloudy at the start, then turned to a mix of sun and overcast on the back nine
No. 12 Stanford begins second round play on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. PT on the 10th tee. The third round will be contested Sunday, with the top 15 teams advancing to the final round of medal play Monday. Eight schools qualify for match play on Tuesday.
For live scoring, visit GoStanford.com.