NAPA, Calif. – Freshman Andrea Lee, senior Casey Danielson and sophomore Sierra Kersten broke par Sunday to help the No. 3 and defending champion Stanford women's golf team earn a one stroke advantage over UCLA after the first round of the Silverado Showdown at Silverado Resort & Spa.
Lee, a three-time winner this season, fashioned a field-best seven birdies to post a 4-under 68 and is tied for second, one shot behind pacesetter Bianca Pagdanganan of Gonzaga, who shot 67. Lee capped her round with birdies at 16, 17 and 18.
Danielson, who has registered seven consecutive top 10 showings, made five birdies, including 14, 16 and 17, to shoot 69 for the hard-charging Cardinal. She played the par-4s in 4-under, the best of anyone in the 18-team tournament, and is tied for fifth.
The steady Kersten tallied two birdies and one bogey. She toured the par-3s in 1-under to record the second-best round of her Stanford career and is tied for 10th.
Senior Jisoo Keel shot 74, junior Shannon Aubert 75 and freshman Madie Chou 76.
Stanford saved its best for last on the rolling, oak tree-lined 6,176-yard layout. Lee and Danielson fired 3-under 33s and Kersten 34 on the back nine.
The Cardinal combined for a score of 5-under 283, followed by UCLA at 284.
The second round of the 54-hole, three-day event resumes Monday. Stanford will start off the first tee from 9:39 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. PT with UCLA and Colorado.
For live scoring, visit GoStanford.com.