HENDERSON, Nevada – Caroline Hwang shot a 1-under 71 to lead the Pepperdine women's golf team at Thursday's first round of the West Coast Conference Championships. She's in second place, while the Waves are in third as a team.
Pepperdine shot 299 at the par-72 Reflection Bay Golf Club and heads into the second round six shots behind BYU and two back of Gonzaga.
The Waves are trying to win their 19th WCC title, and it wouldn't be the first time coming from behind after the first round. They were fourth in 2012 and second in 2017 and 2019 before rallying to win.
PLAYER SCORES
- Freshman Caroline Hwang (Orlando, Fla.) was the only player in the field to have a flawless first round. She recorded 17 pars and had a birdie on the par-4 16th to finish at 1-under. She trails BYU's Allysha Mae Mateo by one shot.
- Freshman Kaleiya Romero (San Jose, Calif.) is tied for seventh after a 75. She had a total of four birdies, two on the front nine and two on the back nine.
- Senior Megan Dennis (Bedfordshire, United Kingdom) is tied for 10th after a 76. He had three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 ninth hole.
- Freshman Lion Higo (Gold Coast, Australia) is tied for 15th after a 77. She birdied her first hole of the day.
- Sophomore Reese Guzman (Kahului, Hawai'i) is tied for 18th after a 79. She had one birdie.
UP NEXT
Pepperdine, BYU and Gonzaga will be paired together for Friday's second round. They'll start on the first tee at 7:50 a.m.
THE NUMBERS
Team Standings: 1. BYU 293; 2. Gonzaga 297;
3. Pepperdine 299; 4. San Francisco 309; 5. Santa Clara 316.
Individual Leaders: 1. Allysha Mae Mateo (BYU) 70;
2. Caroline Hwang (Pepperdine) 71; 3. Quynn Duong (Gonzaga) 72; T4. Cassie Kim (Gonzaga) 73; T4. Annick Haczkiewicz (BYU) 73.
