WOLCOTT, Colo. – The San Diego State women's golf team finds itself in a tie for sixth place at the Golfweek Conference Challenge after shooting a 3-over-par 291 during the opening round on Monday at Red Sky Golf Club.
With their total, the Aztecs remain 10 shots behind co-leaders Pepperdine and Ole Miss (-7), while tournament co-host Denver (-5) occupies the third spot, followed by Nebraska (-3) and Kennesaw State (+1) heading into Tuesday's second round on the par-72, 6,261-yard Tom Fazio Course.
Just five strokes separated the SDSU delegation on Monday, led by Sara Kjellker (Hollviken, Sweden), who fired a 1-under 71 to finish the day in a tie for 17th. The Aztec junior offset two bogeys with a trio of birdies, including back-to-back drains on the par-4 No. 14 and the par-5 15th, before closing with three straight pars.
As a result, Kjellker sits five shots in back of Nebraska front-runner Leah Herzog, who carded a 6-under 66 to grab a slim lead over Pepperdine's Momoka Kabori and Tereza Melecka of East Tennessee State (-5).
In addition, Gioia Carpinelli (Boppelsen, Switzerland) landed in a tie for 20th after completing an opening-round 72. The SDSU junior recorded a team-high four birdies, closing with a pair of conversions on the par-3 17th and the par-4 18th. However, a rash of four bogeys, including three on the front nine prevented a loftier perch.
Meanwhile, Bernice Olivarez Ilas (Ayala Alabang, Philippines) ended the day in a tie for 32nd thanks to a 1-over 73. Despite a dearth of birdies on her scorecard, the Aztec freshman notched 14 pars and managed to ease the sting of three bogeys with an eagle at the par-5, 482-yard No. 15.
Elsewhere, Fernanda Escauriza (Asunción, Paraguay) finds herself in a tie for the 48th after carding a 75. The SDSU senior was 5-over for the round following a bogey on the par-4 13th but played spot-free golf the rest of the way, featuring birdies on the par-4 14th and at No. 18.
The Aztec contingent also included April Ranches (San Diego, Calif.), who ended the day in a tie for 55th after shooting a 76. The SDSU sophomore tied Olivarez Ilas for the team lead with 14 pars while adding a birdie No. 14. However, two bogeys and a triple bogey at the par-4 12th tarnished her round somewhat.
The Golfweek Conference Challenge continues on Tuesday when San Diego State tees off for the second round alongside Campbell and TCU, starting at 10 a.m. MT/9 a.m. PT.
Golfweek Conference Challenge
Round One Results
Wolcott, Colo.
Red Sky G.C. – Tom Fazio Course
Par 72, 6,261 yards
Team Standings (Top 7 of 18 schools)
T1. Ole Miss...281 (-7)
T1. Pepperdine...281 (-7)
3. Denver...283 (-5)
4. Nebraska...285 (-3)
5. Kennesaw State...289 (+1)
T6. San Diego State...291 (+3)
T6. Sacramento State...291 (+3)
Individual Leaders (Top 6 of 96 players + SDSU)
1. Leah Herzog, Nebraska...66 (-6)
T2. Momoka Kabori, Pepperdine...67 (-5)
T2. Tereza Melecka, East Tennessee State...67 (-5)
T4. Anna Zanusso, Denver...68 (-4)
T4. Stacey White, Campbell...68 (-4)
T4. Alexa Melton, Pepperdine...68 (-4)
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T16. Sara Kjellker, SDSU...71 (-1)
T20. Gioia Carpinelli, SDSU...72 (E)
T32. Bernice Olivarez Ilas, SDSU...73 (+1)
T48. Fernanda Escauriza, SDSU...75 (+3)
T55. April Ranches, SDSU...76 (+4)
Women's Golf Tied for Sixth After Day One at GCC
