April 24, 2014
Round One Results in PDF Format | Live Results | MW Championship Page
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. - The San Diego State women's golf team vaulted into first place after shooting a combined 5-over-par 293 on Thursday during the opening round of the 2014 MW Championship at Mission Hills Country Club. The Aztecs recorded their fifth-lowest 18-hole score in the 15-year history of the tournament as three players find themselves among the top 10 on the individual leaderboard at the par-72, 6,324-yard Dinah Shore Tournament Course.
With its performance, SDSU opened up a one-stroke lead over San José State (+6) and a two-shot advantage over New Mexico (+7) in the team standings, while Boise State (+8) and Fresno State (+8) are tied for fourth heading into Friday's second round.
Leading the Aztec charge was Emma Henrikson (Malmo, Sweden), who landed in a five-way logjam for first place after carding a 1-under 71. The SDSU sophomore played steady golf throughout the day, recording just one blemish on her scorecard--a bogey on the par-4 No. 13--after opening with 12 consecutive pars. Despite the hiccup, Henrikson finished strong with two birdies and three additional pars over her last five holes to grab a share of the top spot with San José State's My Leander, Gudrun Bjornvinsdottir and Madchen Ly of Fresno State and New Mexico's Manon Molle.
In addition, Paige Spiranac (Scottsdale, Ariz.) sits just one shot in back of the leaders following an opening-round 72. The Aztec junior offset a trio of bogeys with a team-best three birdies, including two on her first five holes, to finish the day in a sixth-place tie along with Boise State's Oceane Pelloille.
Meanwhile, Sirene Blair (South Jordan, Utah) remains in contention as well after equaling her lowest score of the spring with a 1-over 73. The SDSU freshman matched Henrikson with 15 pars overall to go with a birdie on the par-4 No. 10. Despite carding two bogeys on her final five holes, Blair still completed her first conference tournament round just two strokes out of the lead in a tie for eighth.
Elsewhere, Amy Alston (Mission Viejo, Calif.) figured in the Aztecs' team score on Thursday, carding a 5-over 77 to finish the opening round in a tie for 24th. The SDSU junior was even through eight holes after sinking two birdies at Nos. 5 and 7; however, three ensuing bogeys and a double-bogey at No. 18 stalled her advance. Despite the stumble, Alston still managed her second-best score in seven career MW Championship rounds.
The Aztec delegation also included freshman Maria Fernanda Villegas (Ensenada, Mexico), who finds herself in a tie for the 30th position after recording a 6-over 78 in her first conference tournament start, highlighted by a birdie at No. 4.
The MW Championship resumes with second-round action on Friday when the Aztecs are scheduled to tee off alongside San José State and New Mexico starting at 8:30 a.m. PDT.
2014 Mountain West Women's Golf ChampionshipMission Hills C.C.Dinah Shore Tournament CourseRancho Mirage, Calif.Par 72, 6,324 yardsRound One Results
Team Scores1. San Diego State 293 (+5)2. San José State 294 (+6)3. New Mexico 295 (+7)T4. Boise State 296 (+8)T4. Fresno State 296 (+8)6. UNLV 303 (+15)7. Nevada 308 (+20)8. Wyoming 310 (+22)9. Colorado State 311 (+23)---Individual Scores (Top 5 of 45 players + SDSU)T1. Emma Henrikson, SDSU 71 (-1)T1. My Leander, San José State 71 (-1)T1. Gudrun Bjorgvinsdottir, Fresno State 71 (-1)T1. Madchen Ly, Fresno State 71 (-1)T1. Manon Molle, New Mexico 71 (-1)----T6. Paige Spiranac, SDSU 72 (E)T8. Sirene Blair, SDSU 73 (+1)T24. Amy Alston, SDSU 77 (+5)T30. Maria Fernanda Villegas, SDSU 78 (+6)