STANFORD, Calif. - Defending NCAA champion Stanford got off to a solid start Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Regionals at overcast and breezy Stanford Golf Course.
No. 12 Cardinal produced a five-over score of 289, trailing only leader and No. 2 USC (three-over 287) and No.15 Virginia (four-over 288).The top six teams and three individuals who are not members of the qualifying schools advance to the NCAA Championships on May 20-25 at Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Oregon.
Senior Mariah Stackhouse carded a two-over 69, matching her lowest round of the season to lead the Cardinal. She tallied six birdies, including two of her final three holes. Recently switching to a left-hand-low, crosshanded putting grip, Stackhouse birdied the par-3 fourth, eighth and 17thholes, nearly acing the latter. She rolled in a 48-foot putt from just off the green at No. 8.
“It has worked wonders,” she said. “I was really solid from 10 feet and in.”
Junior Casey Danielson (one-over 72) and sophomore Shannon Aubert (two-over 73) are Stanford’s other representatives among the top-30. Freshman Sierra Kersten shot 74 and senior Lauren Kim added a 75. The top four scores count each round.
Danielson posted two birdies, while Aubert poured in birdies at 12, 13 and 15.
Colorado State’s Katrina Prendergast, one of six individuals in the field, topped the leaderboard with a three-under 68, carding seven birdies. UC Riverside’s Jakeishya Le is tied for second with Stackhouse at two-under.
The rough is penal, as only six of the 96 players in the field broke par.
“It’s playing tough,” said Stackhouse. “You have to play smart.”
Stanford begins second-round play at 9:20 a.m. PT on the first tee. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
To follow live scoring, visit GoStanford.com.