Team To Beat

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – The Stanford women's golf team goes for a wire-to-wire win Wednesday in the 22nd Stanford Intercollegiate hosted by Dr. Condoleezza Rice at Poppy Hills Golf Course.
 
Playing in cooler and tougher conditions Tuesday afternoon after a balmy, 80-degree first day, the Cardinal posted a score of 3-over 287 and has a two-day total of 1-under 567. Defending champion UCLA is second at 574 and Northwestern is third at 576.
 
The Stanford B squad is 13th.
 
"Any time you get a chance to win, you have to take it," said Anne Walker, the Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf. "It's a strong field and a very strong golf course. UCLA and Northwestern showed they are not going to lie down."
 
The Wildcats posted Tuesday's best round, combining for a 4-under 280.
 
Three Stanford players are tied for second individually in the 15-team tournament. Sophomores Andrea Lee (71) and Albane Valenzuela (70), and freshman Mika Liu (72) are deadlocked with Patty Tavatanakit of UCLA and Wenyung Keh of Washington at 2-under 140. Hannah Kim (70) of Northwestern is the pacesetter at 6-under 136.
 
Cardinal sophomore Ziyi Wang (71) of the B team is tied for 14th at 3-over 145, followed by senior Shannon Aubert (74) who is tied for 23rd at 5-over 147.  
 
"The wind picked up and it got colder toward the middle of the round," Lee said. "I hit good shots and good putts, they just didn't fall as much I wanted. That's golf. I just have to keep grinding."
 
Stanford will try for its fourth victory in the event that started in 1995, previously winning in 2015, 2014 and 1997. The lone Cardinal medalist was Hilary Homeyer in 1997.
 
"It would be really special for our team to win because everyone on our team is here," said Lee. "It's our home event and would mean a lot."
 
On Wednesday, the Stanford A team starts at 9:20 a.m. PT off the first tee, while the B team begins at 8:55 a.m. off the 10th tee. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
Follow live scoring at GoStanford.com.