SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – Playing in cold, rainy and windy conditions, the top-ranked Stanford women's golf team combined for a 23-over 311 Friday and is tied for third following the first round of the NCAA Championships at Rich Harvest Farms.
Northwestern posted the top score of 13-over 301 of the 24 competing teams.
Drawing a late 10th tee start with Alabama and Florida, the Cardinal managed only four birdies on the demanding 6,343-yard layout, which played considerably longer due to the elements. Most players wore extra layers, rain gear and ski caps to counter the 40-degree temperatures.
The average score was 80.77 and no one broke par.
August Kim of Purdue and Elodie Van Dievoet of Michigan share the individual lead with 72.
"This week is going to be all about mental toughness and patience," said Anne Walker, the Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf. "The severe weather isn't something you can change. You just have to accept it and do your best to get the ball in the hole."
Stanford was led by junior Shannon Aubert and freshmen Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela, who recorded 5-over 77s and are tied for 19th. Senior Casey Danielson shot 80 and freshman Madie Chou added 83.
Aubert, playing in the national championships for the third time, reeled off eight consecutive pars and finished with 13, tied for first. Valenzuela carded a squad-best two birdies, including the difficult par-4 ninth, her last hole of the day. Lee and Danielson, the latter also competing in her third NCAA Championships, ground out admirable 1-over 37s on their back nine.
The Cardinal posted 53 pars, second-most on Day One.
Round Two will be played Saturday and thunderstorms are in the forecast. The third round will be contested Sunday, with the top 12 teams and nine individuals who are not members of an advancing team, qualifying for Monday's final round of stroke play. The top eight teams move on to match play Tuesday.
Stanford won the NCAA title in 2015 and finished runner-up last year.
The Cardinal switch to the early wave on Saturday, starting on the first hole from 7:30 to 8:14 a.m. CT with Alabama and Florida. Times could change depending on the weather.
For live scoring, visit GoStanford.com.
