Women’s Golf Eighth after First Day of NCAA East Regional
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (May 2, 2022) -- The Franklin Pierce University women's golf team opened play at the NCAA Championship East Regional on Monday, with the first of three rounds at the par-71, 5865-yard Shoal Creek Golf Club. Freshman Kesinee Prukmathakul (Bangkok, Thailand) led the way for the Ravens with an opening-round 73 (+2), and is part of a five-way tie for third through 18 holes. As a team, the Ravens turned in a 318 (+34), and are eighth, out of 15 teams.
Prukmathakul's 73 puts her two shots off the lead and in early contention for a qualifying spot at the NCAA Championship National Finals. At the conclusion of the East Regional on Wednesday, the top five teams will advance to the National Finals. After those advancing teams are determined, the next two individuals with the lowest scores, who are not a member of one of those five teams, will also advance. The National Finals are set for May 10-14 at Chattahoochee Golf Club in Gainesville, Ga.
It was a pair of Ravens inside the top 30 of the 81-golfer field at the end of the first round, as Prukmathakul was followed by fellow Thai freshman Phisonlaya Ruayruen (Chiangmai, Thailand), who is tied-26th after an eight-over 79. Farther back, sophomore Kayla Schuberth (Wrentham, Mass.) is tied-44th with an 82 (+11), junior Alia Godek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) is tied-51st at 84 (+13), and junior Micaela Leandro (Harlingen, Texas) is tied-71st after an 88 (+17).
Up front, Findlay is out to a seven-shot lead, after an opening-round 292 (+8). Indianapolis follows in second at 305 (+21), while Tiffin is third at 307 (+23). Lindenwood and Missouri-St. Louis round out the top five at 310 (+26) and 312 (+28), respectively. The Ravens enter Tuesday's second round six shots in back of Missouri-St. Louis for the final spot in the National Finals.
Individually, it's a one-shot lead for Findlay senior Jill Schmitmeyer, after an even-par round of 71 on Monday. Lindenwood senior McKenna Montgomery is solo-second at 72 (+1), in front of the five-player tie for third.
The East Regional will continue with the second round on Tuesday, and conclude with the third round on Wednesday.