Host Tigers Lead Auburn NCAA Regional; McCauley Opens with 77

College

AUBURN, Ala. -- Making the most of their home-course advantage Monday, on a day when scoring wasn't easy, all five of the players in the Auburn University lineup shot 75 or better. As a result, they are all in the top 20 in the individual standings, and the Tigers are leading the team standings after the first round of the Women's NCAA Division I Auburn Regional.  

Megan Schofill, a fifth-year senior who won the U.S. Women's Amateur last summer, led the way for Auburn. She made two birdies, one bogey and 12 pars over the first 15 holes, then eagled the 496-yard, par-5 16th at the Auburn University Golf Course, on her way to a 3-under-par 69. That has her tied with South Carolina's Louise Rydqvist, a junior from Sweden. Rydqvist was even par after 11 holes, but she birdied three of the next five, capping that spree off with a birdie at the 16th.

Auburn's team total is 290 (plus 2). The Tigers came into the regional ranked No. 7 nationally. No. 2 South Carolina, which is coached by former two-time Minnesota State Girls Junior champion Kaley Anderson, is three behind in second place at 293. Oregon, Tulsa and Houston are all another five behind, tied for third.

North Carolina's Megan Streicher and East Tennessee State's Sophie Bert are tied for third individually, two behind the leaders at 71. And there is a three-way tie for fifth at 72 -- Sydney Seigel of Tulsa, Moa Svedenskjold of Houston and Kayla Smith of North Carolina. 

 There are six 54-hole regional tournaments being played this week, with 12 teams in each, and six players who are there as individuals only. The top five teams from each region will advance to the NCAA Championships, May 17-22 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. 

But only one player will advance from each region as an individual. She will have to finish first in a group of 41 -- the individuals playing for teams that don't advance, plus the six in the individuals only category. It's conceivable that someone could finish second as an individual -- and not advance. 

Minnesota junior Bella McCauley is the No. 2 seed among the individuals only at Auburn. She got through the regional and into the NCAA tournament as an individual last year, but she's off to a slow start this year. After playing the front nine in 2 over Monday, she bogeyed the 368-yard, par-4 12th hole, but got that lost stroke back with a birdie at the 502-yard, par-5 13th. She was still plus 2 after 15 holes, but she doubled the par-5 16th and bogeyed the 155-yard, par-3 17th; so she's tied for 34th overall with a 77. 

None of the "individuals only" at Auburn broke 75, and the No. 1 seed, Anna Morgan of Furman, is one behind McCauley at 78. 


NCAA Women's DI Auburn Regional

At Auburn University Club

Par 72, 6,480 yards

Auburn, Ala. 

First-round results

1 Auburn                      290

2. South Carolina         293

T3. Oregon                   298

T3. Tulsa                      298

T3. Houston                 298

6. North Carolina          300

7. Miami                        305

8. Georgia                     306

9. East Tenn. State       308

10. Michigan                  311

11. Kennesaw State     317

12. Albany                     321

Individuals

T1. Megan Schofill, Auburn              69

T1. Louise Rydquist, So. Carolina    69

T3. Megan Streicher, No. Carolina   71

T3. Sophie Britt, E. Tenneessee St.  71

T5. Kayla Smith, North Carolina       72

T5. Sydney Seigel, Tulsa                  72

T5. Kayla Smith, No. Carolina          72

T5. Moa Svendenskiold, Houston    72

T34. Bella McCauley, Minnesota   77