LIVE RESULTS
(GOLETA, Calif.)
Kiara Hernandez is in a four-way tie for first place after the opening round of the Westmont Invitational at Sandpiper G.C., while
Zara Houghton is just one shot back tied for fifth.
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"I'm really excited about the consistency and positive trend we see with Kiara and Zara," Head Coach
Lance Hancock said. "They're a strong foundation for sure."
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PLNU Women's Golf is third as a team, with all five Sea Lions competing currently in the top-23.
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Hernandez, who is tied with three other players atop the leaderboard after shooting a 76 (+4), finished the front nine at one-under after carding three birdies in the first nine holes, including one at the turn.
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The heavy fog along the coast made visibility difficult throughout, but Hernandez battled on the back nine to earn her second 18-hole lead of the year in just the third tournament of the season.
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Hernandez also led after the first round of the RJGA Shootout at Estrella in the team's first tournament of the year before finishing tied for third.
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Houghton overcame a double bogey on the first hole by recording nine straight pars. She then birdied the par-four 15th hole, helping her remain just one shot behind the leaders.
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Bella Gunasayan (T-15th, 84),
Sofy Cardenas (22nd, 86) and
Mallory Hopper (23rd, 87) rounded out the Sea Lions' starting five.
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Cardenas opened her day with a birdie on the par-five first before finishing with a par on the tricky par-3 18th, which Hopper birdied to close out her first round.
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As a team, Point Loma is five shots behind second-placed Westminster and 11 strokes back of tournament hosts Westmont in first.
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PLNU's second and final round will begin at 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday when Hopper tees off, with Cardenas (8:18 a.m.), Gunasayan (8:26 a.m.), Houghton (8:34 a.m.) and Hernandez (8:42 a.m.) to follow.
