TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Junior Lauren Stephenson fired a 5-under par 67 to lead the Alabama women’s golf team to a 6-under par day and a third-place standing after the first round at the NCAA Tallahassee Regional on Monday.
Washington (273) leads the team standings at 15-under par. The Huskies were led by Wenyung Keh, who was the regional’s low individual on Monday with a 9-under par 63 opening round at the par-72, 6,342-yard Don Veller Seminole Golf Course and Club.
Furman (280) is second at 8-under par, followed by the Tide (282). Clemson (284), Tennessee (284) and Wake Forest (284) are tied for fourth at 3-under par. The top six teams in the final standings after Wednesday’s third round will advance to the NCAA Championships.
Stephenson’s opening-round 67 was her 16th round in the 60s this season and her 22nd under par in 27 rounds played in 2017-18. The score has the Lexington, S.C., native in a tie for third place, four shots behind Keh.
Stephenson’s round equals the third-lowest in UA history in NCAA Regional play, trailing only the second round 6-under par 66 turned in by both Jennifer Kirby and Stephanie Meadow at the 2013 NCAA East Regional at Auburn.
Freshman Angelica Moresco carded a 1-under par 71 in her NCAA postseason debut, which included an eagle on the par-5, 470-yard ninth hole, and is tied for 16th. Sophomore Kristen Gillman (72) and junior Cheyenne Knight (72) are tied for 24th after even-par opening rounds. Senior Lakareber Abe (76) followed Moresco’s eagle on No. 9 with an eagle of her own and finished the day in a tie for 61st at 4-over par.
Tuesday’s second round will begin at 7 a.m. Alabama will tee off beginning at 8:50 a.m. and will be paired with Washington and Furman.
