Melgrati's Strong Opener Propels Wildcats

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. – Behind freshman Carolina Melgrati's lowest round as a Wildcat, Arizona Women's Golf finished the first day of the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in seventh place at 9-over par. Melgrati carded a 68 on Sunday to break 70 for the first time as a collegiate golfer, powered by a strong back nine of six pars and three brides.

"I thought our lineup showed good resiliency as we carded some low scores before and after the turn today," said head coach Laura Ianello. "Carolina and Lilas led us with some of their best golf as Wildcats. Showing an ability to bounce back already is a good sign for our next two days as we can continue to make moves up the leaderboard."

Lilas Pinthier posted her team's second-lowest score on Sunday with 1-under par round of 70, which tied the best round of her young Arizona career. The freshman's day was highlighted by her first career eagle on the 16th hole, a 453-yard par 5.

Arizona also got an eagle on the 16th hole from Gile Bite Starkute to give them the tournament's only eagles on the day. With two eagles and a birdie on the back nine's only par 5, the Cats finished the day tied for second in par-5 scoring at 6-under and just one stroke behind Kent State.

The Wildcats' opening round of 9-over puts them in a bunched packed of teams atop the leaderboard. The first and eight place teams are separated by a total of nine strokes going into Tuesday's second round.