PHOENIX, Ariz. – The New Mexico women’s golf team began play Friday with the first round of the PING/ASU Invitational, hosted by Arizona State at the Papago Golf Course. The Lobos shot 4-over during the opening round to sit in seventh-place in an event that features an elite field of 12 top-50 teams.
The tournament host, the ninth-ranked Sun Devils, hold the 18-hole lead at 8-under. Top-ranked Stanford is second at 3-under, while No. 2 Oregon, No. 45 Northwestern and No. 18 Baylor are tied for third at 2-under. No. 16 UCLA is sixth at 3-over, one-shot ahead of the Lobos.
Jenny Lertsadwattana led the Lobos on Friday by shooting a 5-under 67 to end the day in second place on the individual leaderboard. Lauren Lehigh shot a 1-over 73 and Caroline Jansson had a 3-over 74. Chloe Lauer and Myah McDonald rounded out the lineup by shooting 77 and 78, respectively.
“Jenny’s putter was hot today,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “She pulled out a great first round. There is lots of golf to be played yet. It’s going to take patience and good course management”
The PING/ASU Invitational continues Saturday and concludes Sunday in Phoenix.