NCAA Women's: Defending champions Duke lead through first round
Leona Maguire
BRADENTON, Fla. — The defending champion Duke Blue Devils jumped out to a four-stroke lead at the NCAA Women's National Championship, led by freshman Leona Maguire's opening-round 71.
At one-under par, the star first-year player is tied for sixth place individually, three behind Stanford's Mariah Stackhouse. Duke was also aided by a 73 from junior Celine Boutier.
USC, the 2013 winners, will enter the second round trailing by four shots with junior Annie Park tied for second place with a two-under 70 on Friday.
A trio of teams of teams are lined up from third to fifth place, with Arizona leading that pack at 12-over, and Tennessee and Washignton a stroke back each.
This 72-hole championship will conclude Monday at The Concession Golf Club, followed by match play.
ABOUT THE NCAA Division I Women's Championship
30 teams and 6 individuals not on a qualifying
team make up the field for the championship of
NCAA
Division I women's golf.
After 72 holes of stroke play, the individual
champion is crowned, and the low 8 teams advance
to
match play to determine the team champion.
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