SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Virginia Tech battled back from a slow start to post a 302 in Friday's opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship.
Grayhawk Golf Club's Raptor Course (par 72, 6,384 yards) lived up to its billing of being a championship course. No team was able to finish in red figures on day one of the championship. Texas, ranked 17th in the nation, leads the 24-team field at 1-over 289.
The Hokies, who were 9-over at the turn, carded six birdies over their last nine holes and are tied with UCLA for 15th in the team standings. Emily Mahar, who is playing near her high school stomping grounds, carded a 2-over 74 in her return to the Phoenix area. Mahar capitalized on the par-5s, going 3-under for the day on those holes.
Keerattriya Foocharoen matched her senior teammate with three birdies on the round to also post a 2-over 74. Mahar and Foocharoen are tied for 38th.
Becca DiNunzio is tied for 52nd at 3-over 75. After opening with three straight bogeys, the sophomore played even-par from there. Jessica Spicer (79) and Alyssa Montgomery (81) are tied for 105th and 120th, respectively.
Stanford's Rachel Heck fired a 3-under 69 to set the pace in the individual race. The freshman is one shot clear of Texas' Kaitlyn Papp.
Saturday's second round is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. ET for the Hokies. They will once again be paired with Oregon and Auburn.
