PHOENIX, Ariz. – Junior Andrea Lee fashioned a 5-under-par 67 to spark No. 3 Stanford to the first-round lead Friday in the Ping/ASU Invitational at Papago Golf Course.
The Cardinal combined for a score of 1-under 287, one shot clear of host Arizona State in the 15-team, 54-hole tournament.
Stanford is seeking its third consecutive team victory of the season.
Starting on the back nine, Lee, the No. 2-rated collegiate player in the country and No. 3 in the Women's World Amateur Rankings, reeled off three birdies to turn in 3-under 33. She collected four on the front nine, making three-straight at No. 2, 3 and 4, then closed with another at the par-5 ninth.
Kaitlin Milligan of Oklahoma is one shot back after a 68.
Clutch eagle at final hole by Ziyi Wang gives Cardinal early advantage at -1. @andrea_lee54 fires 67 to earn clubhouse lead.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/fj4YltPJKQ
— Stanford Women's Golf (@StanfordWGolf) March 29, 2019
Cardinal sophomore Mika Liu and junior Ziyi Wang chipped in 1-over 73's and share 22nd. Liu finished with an eagle at the ninth, while Wang made five birdies, the last coming at No. 9.
Junior Albane Valenzuela, ranked No. 3 in the nation and No. 5 in the world rankings, shot 74 and is tied for 30th, while freshman Aline Krauter added 75 (t-42).
Playing as individuals, sophomore Kelsey Zeng (t-7) shot 71 and freshman Calista Reyes (t-15) posted a 72. Both recorded five birdies.
Stanford has never won the team title but has produced five individual champions. They are: Stephanie Keever (2001), Hilary Homeyer (1998), Mhairi McKay (1996), Martha Richards (1993) and Pat Cornett (1975).
Lee captured her seventh career win last month at the Northrop Grumman Challenge, one shy of the school record held by McKay.
The second round is Saturday, followed by the final round on Sunday. The Cardinal tees off Saturday from 9:30-10:06 a.m. on the first tee and is paired with Arizona State and Oklahoma.
Live scoring can be found at GoStanford.com.