Sun Devils in Top-4 After Day One of Regional

STILLWATER, Okla. - Sun Devil Women's Golf is in a coveted Top-4 position after the first round of the Stillwater Regional, hosted at Karsten Creek Golf Club on Monday.

No. 7 Arizona State (+8/296) is tied with No. 6 and host school Oklahoma State for third place, battling windy conditions on the opening day of NCAA postseason play. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye's team has put themselves in a strong position heading into the final two days of the event, with ASU needing to finish in the Top-4 of the 12-team field to move on to the NCAA Championship. They are seven-strokes up on fifth place and look to add to that cushion tomorrow.

Leading the way is a trio of Sun Devils, each of which find themselves in the Top-10 after the initial round. The best out of that group was the performance of Ashley Menne, as she is in contention for Regional Medalist honors. She sits only two strokes back of overall leader Baylor's Brita Snyder after firing a 71 (-1), currently tied for second place. Joining her in the Top-5 is Alexandra Forsterling, who continues her National Player of the Year campaign with a great start. She remained consistent in finishing even (72) and is in a tie for fifth.

The third Sun Devil in the Top-10 was freshman Grace Summerhays, who made quite the NCAA postseason debut. The freshman played with poise and confidence under pressure, delivering a 73 (+1) which is good enough for a tie for eighth. Three from the Maroon & Gold remain just four strokes behind the overall leader after the first day. Next, Arizona State begins the second round tomorrow at 6 AM MST on Hole 1, paired with Furman and Michigan State.

FRONT NINE
Winds in excess of 20 miles per hour met the Sun Devils at the first tee, with Oklahoma living up to its weather reputation. The team still managed to find success on the front nine, especially Ashley Menne. She birdied three holes and avoided a bogey, setting herself up for a excellent round. Alessandra Fanali started the front nine even thanks to a pair of birdies, while Alexandra Forstering battled to go +1 and eventually found her rhythm. Other than a hiccup on the sixth hole, Grace Summerhays pared her way through the front nine to get off on the right foot. 

BACK NINE
Grace Summerhays led the way on the back nine, finishing at one-under to climb her way into the Top-10. Over her last seven holes, she finished three-under thanks to some bogey-free golf. Alexandra Forsterling also ended the back nine under par, going two-under and avoiding a bogey over her final eight holes. They are not the only Sun Devils who ended on a high note, as both Ashley Menne and Calynne Rosholt completed their round with a birdie on 18.

QUOTABLES
Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye
"We had a solid start today being led by Ashley, Lexi and Grace! We faced wind gusts up to 25 mph on a very difficult golf course. Every day that we get on this course we learn more about it and how to make the best course management decisions! Ale and Calynne did a great job keeping their emotions in check while having a tough day. It only takes an errant shot or 2 on Karsten Creek to find yourself in a tough spot. We look forward to day 2!"

TEAM RESULTS
 

INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
 

UP NEXT
Tee times for the second day of the Stillwater Regional site have been announced. Along with Michigan State and Furman, Arizona State will officially start the regional as their first round begins on the 1st hole at 6:00 a.m. MST, with a new competitor teeing-off every 11 minutes. Subsequent tee times for the final round of the Stillwater Regional for teams, players within teams as well as individual competitors will be re-paired based on round two scores.
 

HOW TO FOLLOW
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