Oklahoma State was led by Chih-Min Chen on day one
(Oklahoma State Athletics Photo)
EUGENE, OR (May 20, 2016) - Oklahoma State opened
the 2016 NCAA Championship with a 4-under 284,
which is the program's second-lowest round ever at the
national championship, and will enter Saturday's second
round atop the leaderboard by two strokes.
The Cowgirls closed strong with a combined eight
birdies in their final five holes on the day, and finished
with 21 birdies overall – tied for the most in the field.
OSU led the country with 505 total birdies on the year
entering the NCAA Championships.
No. 8 OSU and No. 3 UCLA were the only squads to post
sub-par rounds, and the Cowgirls lead the Bruins by two
strokes after 18 holes.
Chih-Min Chen and Emma Broze both carded six
birdies in the opening round, which is tied for the
second most at the tournament so far. Chen, a
freshman, is tied for third at 3-under after closing out
with three birdies over her final five holes.
Broze posted birdies on four straight holes (4-7)
and finds herself tied with her teammate Maddie
McCrary for 29th place at even par 72.
Kenzie Neisen carded one of the tournament's four
eagles on the day, and will enter Saturday's second
round tied for 19th with a 1-under 71. The two-time
defending Big 12 champion scored an eagle on No. 17, a
471-yard par 5.
Linnea Johansson had just a single bogey on the
back nine, and at 1-over 73, is just five strokes behind
the leaders; Haley Moore of Arizona and August Kim of
Purdue.
The championship format consists of all 24 teams
and 12 individuals completing 54 holes of stroke play,
and then the top 15 teams along with the top nine
individuals not on an advancing team will advance for
one additional day of stroke play to determine the top
eight teams for match play competition and the 72-hole
stroke play individual champion. The top eight teams
then compete in match play for the championship.
Editors Note: Story from NCAA.com
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.
View Complete Tournament Information