Lobos Open Play at PING/ASU Invitational in Sixth Place

PHOENIX – The New Mexico women’s golf team began play Friday at the PING/ASU Invitational with the opening round of play at the Papago Golf Course. The Lobos shot even par during the first round to finish the day T-6th in an event featuring six top-50 teams.

Tournament host, No. 9 Arizona State, is the 18-hole leader at 15-under, six shots clear of No. 12 Northwestern at 9-under. No. 25 UCLA and No. 42 Pepperdine are tied third at 2-under, No. 21 Kansas is fifth at 1-under and the Lobos are tied with No. 34 Cal for sixth at even par.

Maria Caparros Levin led UNM on Friday, shooting a 2-under 70 to be T-7th on the individual leaderboard. Maria Garcia shot even par 72 in the first round, while Chelsea Truong and Rebecca Galasso each shot a 1-over 73. Annie Saechueng rounded out the lineup with an 80 on Friday.

“We played very steady today,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “The wind picked up on our second nine and we had a few hiccups at the end. We are in position to make a good move tomorrow. It was nice to see Maria Caparros Levin have an under par round.”

The PING/ASU Invitational will continue Saturday and conclude Sunday at the Papago Golf Course.