SAN ANTONIO — For Lobo Manon Molle’, there was only one thing missing Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Regional held in San Antonio, Texas at the Briggs Ranch Golf Course.
Her New Mexico teammates.
“It’s different because my teammates are not here and it’s like, ‘Where are they?’ I miss them,” said the University of New Mexico sophomore. “I’m out here playing for myself, but I’m also playing for them.
“I’m really excited to be here and I really enjoy it. It’s pretty cool.”
Molle’ actually started off pretty hot and at one point was in second place in the individual chase. She ended up shooting a 1-under-ar 71 and is four shots off the pace heading into Friday’s second round. The individual lead is shared by Kansas’ Yupaporn Kawinpakom and Baylor’s Hayley Davis, who came in with 67s. There are 23 golfer
s ahead of Molle’ on the leaderboard.
Tennessee had the team lead after 18 holes with a 12-under 276 followed by UCLA at 278 and Baylor at 280. There are 18 teams in the regional field.
There are four NCAA regional tournaments with 384 golfers competing. There will be 132 golfers advancing to the finals with six teams and three individuals advancing from each regional. The individuals can be plucked from teams not advancing to the finals, so Molle’ has a lot of golfers to beat in order to reach the championship rounds.
“Mimo (Molle’) was her normal cool self,” said Lobo Coach Jill Trujillo. “She has learned how to tame her brain. She is only four shots off the lead and you could tell she was having a good time out there.”
Molle’ was 2-under after eight holes before bogeying two of three holes to drop down to even par. She added another bogey before making a charge to birdie two of her final three holes.
“I feel I played pretty good,” said Molle’, the 2015 Mountain West champion. “I had three bad shots today (Thursday) and that cost me some bogeys. But I had some good up-and-downs.
“I feel pretty good, pretty relaxed. I’m just enjoying being here and I’m not stressing.”
Molle’ said the experience from the Mountain West Championships helped relax her for NCAA play and she also played in the NCAA Regional in 2014 when the Lobos qualified as a team. This year Molle’ made the NCAA list as an individual.
“It (MW win) was pretty amazing,” said Molle’. “I remember on the first tee on the last day thinking that it would be a good day. I didn’t play as well as I did the day before, but so many putts went in.”
Molle’ shot the low round (67) of the day over the final 18 holes of the MW Championships and won the title on the first hole of a playoff.
The national finals will be held May 22-27 at The Concessions Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. The final three days of the championship will be televised live by The Golf Channel. Molle’ entered the NCAA postseason with a 73.67 stroke average. She is one of three Mountain West golfers who will play in the NCAA postseason as individuals.