McDonald in Top 10 After Day One of NCAA Las Vegas Regional

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The New Mexico women’s golf team had two players begin play at the NCAA Las Vegas Regional on Monday as the opening round was held at Spanish Trail Golf Club. Myah McDonald shot 1-under to finish the day T-6th, while Lauren Lehigh shot even par to finish the day T-13th.

The top individual who isn’t on an advancing team at the regional will advance to the NCAA Championships later this month. After the opening round, McDonald is tied for the lowest individual not on an advancing team, while Lehigh is one shot back of that spot.

After an opening bogey on No. 10, McDonald made birdies on No. 14 and No. 18 to make the turn at 1-under. She then parred every hole on the front nine to finish her 1-under round of 71. Lehigh teed off on the front nine, where she followed a bogey on No. 4 with a birdie on No. 5. A birdie on No. 11 got her to red figures before a bogey on No. 13 returned her to even, where she finished the day with a round of 72.

“Both Myah and Lauren played very steady today,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “They both burnt a lot of edges for birdie. They put themselves in good position after the first day.”

The NCAA Las Vegas Regional will continue Tuesday and conclude Wednesday at Spanish Trail Golf Club. The top five teams and the top individual (not on an advancing team) at the tournament will advance to the NCAA Championships, held May 17-22 in Carlsbad, Calif.