Solid Start

STANFORD, Calif. – No. 1 Stanford women's golf began play on Monday at the NCAA Regional at Stanford Golf Course and finished the day in third place with a 1-under 283. The Cardinal was led by Rose Zhang and Brooke Seay, who both fired 2-under 69s and are tied for third.

"I thought we were a little tight coming out of the gate and that's to be expected," Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf Anne Walker said. "The conditions were hard - wind was blowing and it was cold. We were several over through the first six holes, then I saw everyone settle in, start to be patient and putts started falling. I was really proud of the way we came back to shoot 1-under for the day."

The Cardinal only tallied three birdies on the front nine and counted 4-over at the turn, but totaled 11 birdies against seven bogeys on the back nine and counted 5-under coming in to close in third. LSU leads the field at 5-under and USC sits at 4-under following 18 holes. Purdue closes out the top four at 1-over.

Seay was especially strong for the Cardinal, as the junior was 4-under over the last 12 holes to finish with her 2-under 69.

"Brooke has been playing great all spring, but these last two weeks she's been working so hard," Walker said. "I've seen her at the facility more than I have the entire time she's been here. She's been working on all the right things and she's excited about the game. To see that carry over today and for her to post a number like that, I'm happy for her. She deserves it."

Zhang (Golfstat No. 1 player) posted an identical 69 to Seay's, playing in a threesome that also included LSU's Ingrid Lindblad (Golfstat No. 2 player) and USC's Amari Avery (Golfstat No. 5 player). All three golfers in that group finished with 69s. 

Last year's individual national champion Rachel Heck made her return to the lineup after missing Pac-12 Championships with an illness. Playing in her first round in over a month, Heck shot a 4-over 75.

"I think it was a big deal to have her get 18 holes under her belt," Walker said of Heck's return. "I feel like she was right on the edge today, she was a little bit rusty. Anyone that took four weeks off would be rusty, and if she can play again tomorrow then that's a small win."

Senior Aline Krauter (1-over 72) and sophomore Sadie Englemann (2-over 73) both scored for Stanford on Monday. Krauter was 2-over at the turn and played the back nine in 1-under, while Englemann was 3-over at the turn and also played the back nine in 1-under.

On her message to the team after Monday's round, Walker said: "We just want to keep the momentum that we had on the last nine today. Hopefully tomorrow we can be ready to swing freely from the word go. If we just play our game it will be good enough."

Stanford will once again play with LSU and USC on Tuesday, with the Cardinal's tee times beginning off No. 1 at 9:06 a.m.
 

NCAA Stanford Regional (Stanford Golf Course, par 71)