Zhang, Card Increase Leads

Results

STANFORD, Calif. -- Freshman Rose Zhang carded her second consecutive 6-under 65 to increase her lead after two rounds of the Stanford Intercollegiate women's golf tournament Saturday at Stanford Golf Course. Zhang's 12-under ties Mariah Stackhouse's 36-hole school record, set at the 2013 Peg Barnard Invitational at Stanord Golf Course.

Zhang carries a five-stroke lead and Stanford owns a 20-stroke lead going into Sunday's final round, which begins with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Oregon, at 1-under, and San Jose State, at even par, are the closest pursuers to the Cardinal, which is aiming for its third consecutive tournament title in as many appearances to open the fall season. 

Zhang is searching for perfection as well. She has won both her previous tournaments as a collegian -- The Molly hosted by Cal and Northwestern's Windy City Intercollegiate. She is searching for Victory No. 3.

Zhang opened play with a three-stroke lead and was 1-under as she opened the day on the back nine. But on the front side, she birdied Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, to complete a 5-under 30 for her final nine holes. Zhang's 65 was matched by Oregon's Tze-Han Lin, who moved up 29 places to a tie for fourth, where is met by Stanford's Aline Krauter at 4-under. Sara Kouskova of Texas sits in second, at 7-under.

Rachel Heck, tied for eighth at 3-under, gave Stanford three in the top 10. Caroline Sturdza shot a 2-under 69 to move eight spots and into a tie for 11th. Among the Stanford B team, which moved up five spots to 12th with a 14-shot improvement, is paced by Brooke Seay, who shot a 2-under 69 and moved up 19 places to a tie for 21st. 

Stanford Intercollegiate (Stanford Golf Course, par 71)