The Emory University women's golf team opened the 2022 NCAA Championships with a statement Tuesday afternoon, breaking the team record for best single round score at the NCAA Championships to finish day one in the lead by five strokes. This year's championships are being played at the 5,866-yard, par-72 Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX.
At the conclusion of the first round, the No. 1 ranked Eagles placed first in the field of 29 teams with a team score of four-over 292, breaking the previous single round score of six-over 294 set by Rhodes College at the 2016 NCAA Championships. Emory is tied for the tournament lead in total pars with 60 through the first 18-holes and holds the lead on par-3 holes where they have combined to score three-under par. Sitting in second place is conference foe No. 12 ranked WashU who scored a nine-over 297 and rounding out the podium is No. 3 ranked Methodist who carded a 12-over 300.
Sophomore Irene Wang and freshman Heejo Hyun led the way for the Eagles through the first 18-holes each of them posting a score of 72 which sees them tied for fifth. Wang leads the field in scoring on par-3 holes (-2) and is second in total pars (13). Freshman Sharon Mun was rock-solid for the Eagles carding a 73 to finish the first day tied for ninth. Freshman Ellen Dong finished tied for 15th after registering a 75. Despite beginning the day with back-to-back double bogeys, sophomore Mariana Chong rallied back to finish with a respectable 79 on the first round and will enter day two sitting tied for 49th.
The Eagles will be back in action Wednesday morning for the second round of the championships with hopes of stretching their lead even further. After the first 54-holes of competition are completed, the field will be cut to the top 15 teams and the top six individuals not on one of those teams to compete in the final round of competition.