[ColoradoTree]

A suggestion on early tracking of this event:

First, the first three holes on each nine at Harding Park have been benign.  So some teams will get under par and appear to be hot.  One of those teams might be; the rest ar merely taking advantage of what they've been given.  

Second, unless unless the tournament organizers move the front side tees up and the back side tees back to try to equalize the two nines, he teams that start on the much easier front side will make significant moves on teams that start on the back, once those backside teams hit the fangs of the course--13, 14, and 15, and 18 is tough, too.  It's not quite two different courses, but it comes as close as any course I've ever heard of.

With that said, the #9 South Carolina team is making a great run on the back, and in the teeth of it.  They could be the story of the day if they stay near their current pace.

Finally, this is a classic old course.  It doesn't kill you with killer holes that are easy to double or triple bogey. So a team isn't going to come back to field suddenly, with a succession of of immense proportions scores.  The movement will tend to be slow.

Thanks for the insight, Hulk! 

To follow up on what Hulk said, a team that fails to shoot particularly well on the front 9 probably isn't terribly likely to suddenly turn it on for the back 9 (though, hey, it's golf, weird stuff happens).  Right now, several teams within a couple strokes of the likely cut line didn't take advantage of that front 9.  In the early going, Oklahoma State and Oregon have both dropped a few strokes on the front 9, while Louisville and North Carolina, both very much in the mix for a top 6 finish, couldn't manage to complete the front 9 in under par.  Those teams' failure to create the separation Hulk was talking about means South Carolina is indeed primed to make a run at a top 6 spot with just the front 9 to play. San Diego State, too, for that matter.  Of the teams realistically fighting for that last spot, only South Carolina and SDSU started on the back 9.  Both are currently +8 for the tournament, and Oregon and Louisville are currently tied for 6th at +4. 

That said, of the teams that started on the front 9, no one took advantage like Colorado did, going -8 as a team there this morning.  They gave a stroke back on the 10th so far, but they've put themselves in a nice position heading into the back 9 after a dreadful round (+10) yesterday. 

For our part, Stanford has started off the front 9 nicely (-5 so far), and at -7 for the tournament, we currently have a 4-shot lead over Ole Miss (-3) and a 6-shot lead over UCLA, Kent State, and Colorado (tied at -1).  It's early, to be sure, but Lee and Liu are both -2 today so far, Valenzuela is -1, Aubert is at even par, and Wang is at +1 (she just birdied the 4th hole after taking a double bogey on the 1st hole).  For the tournament, Lee is currently tied for the individual lead with Colorado's Fan at -6.

[ColoradoTree]

A suggestion on early tracking of this event:

First, the first three holes on each nine at Harding Park have been benign.  So some teams will get under par and appear to be hot.  One of those teams might be; the rest ar merely taking advantage of what they've been given.  

Second, unless unless the tournament organizers move the front side tees up and the back side tees back to try to equalize the two nines, he teams that start on the much easier front side will make significant moves on teams that start on the back, once those backside teams hit the fangs of the course--13, 14, and 15, and 18 is tough, too.  It's not quite two different courses, but it comes as close as any course I've ever heard of.

With that said, the #9 South Carolina team is making a great run on the back, and in the teeth of it.  They could be the story of the day if they stay near their current pace.

Finally, this is a classic old course.  It doesn't kill you with killer holes that are easy to double or triple bogey. So a team isn't going to come back to field suddenly, with a succession of of immense proportions scores.  The movement will tend to be slow.

Thanks for the insight, Hulk! 

To follow up on what Hulk said, a team that fails to shoot particularly well on the front 9 probably isn't terribly likely to suddenly turn it on for the back 9 (though, hey, it's golf, weird stuff happens).  Right now, several teams within a couple strokes of the likely cut line didn't take advantage of that front 9.  In the early going, Oklahoma State and Oregon have both dropped a few strokes on the front 9, while Louisville and North Carolina, both very much in the mix for a top 6 finish, couldn't manage to complete the front 9 in under par.  Those teams' failure to create the separation Hulk was talking about means South Carolina is indeed primed to make a run at a top 6 spot with just the front 9 to play. San Diego State, too, for that matter.  Of the teams realistically fighting for that last spot, only South Carolina and SDSU started on the back 9.  Both are currently +8 for the tournament, and Oregon and Louisville are currently tied for 6th at +4. 

That said, of the teams that started on the front 9, no one took advantage like Colorado did, going -8 as a team there this morning.  They gave a stroke back on the 10th so far, but they've put themselves in a nice position heading into the back 9 after a dreadful round (+10) yesterday. 

For our part, Stanford has started off the front 9 nicely (-5 so far), and at -7 for the tournament, we currently have a 4-shot lead over Ole Miss (-3) and a 6-shot lead over UCLA, Kent State, and Colorado (tied at -1).  It's early, to be sure, but Lee and Liu are both -2 today so far, Valenzuela is -1, Aubert is at even par, and Wang is at +1 (she just birdied the 4th hole after taking a double bogey on the 1st hole).  For the tournament, Lee is currently tied for the individual lead with Colorado's Fan at -6.

[Spiny_Norman]

At the regionals, all of the drama is at the bottom, around the cut line. Stanford's strong start today has put some distance between them and the cut line. 

Yesterday, Coach Walker said, "This is now a one-day tournament. We need to post the number we need and get out of here." You can infer the pressure that is involved in this tournament. Stanford responding well to the pressure so far.

But it's not a done deal until everyone is in the clubhouse with the scorecards signed.  In Tallahassee, Wake Forest was well above the cut line with 2 holes to play. The team was +7 on 17 and 18. They are tied with Clemson for the final spot and will have to play it off for a trip to Stillwater.

[Spiny_Norman]

At the regionals, all of the drama is at the bottom, around the cut line. Stanford's strong start today has put some distance between them and the cut line. 

Yesterday, Coach Walker said, "This is now a one-day tournament. We need to post the number we need and get out of here." You can infer the pressure that is involved in this tournament. Stanford responding well to the pressure so far.

But it's not a done deal until everyone is in the clubhouse with the scorecards signed.  In Tallahassee, Wake Forest was well above the cut line with 2 holes to play. The team was +7 on 17 and 18. They are tied with Clemson for the final spot and will have to play it off for a trip to Stillwater.

[Hulk01]

Wow on Wake Forest.  There's a story like that every year in regionals, usually more than one. 

My pick for the story of the week is Oregon State's Nicole Schroeder.  With good reason, I'd never heard of her.  On her scores this season, she would make our team only if coach Walker gave up on Aubert.  A typical tournament for Ms. Schroeder this season: 76-73-76.  It appears her average was around 75.25

So she goes out in her regional and shoots 68-66-72 and wins the individual championship.  I've never seen a breakout tournament that from a college golfer, male or female.  I'd love to hear her explanation.

[Hulk01]

Wow on Wake Forest.  There's a story like that every year in regionals, usually more than one. 

My pick for the story of the week is Oregon State's Nicole Schroeder.  With good reason, I'd never heard of her.  On her scores this season, she would make our team only if coach Walker gave up on Aubert.  A typical tournament for Ms. Schroeder this season: 76-73-76.  It appears her average was around 75.25

So she goes out in her regional and shoots 68-66-72 and wins the individual championship.  I've never seen a breakout tournament that from a college golfer, male or female.  I'd love to hear her explanation.

[ColoradoTree]

Oregon sure came back to Earth.  While most other teams were going low or holding their own on the front 9, Oregon shot +5 for the front 9 today and is now on the wrong side of the cutline with the back 9 still in front of them.  (Of course, right before I was about to post this, one of their players went and eagled the 10th, so they're right back in it. Golf, man. EDIT: Then, as SOON as I post this, the same player who eagled the 10th takes a double bogey on the 11th. What the course giveth, the course taketh away.)

UCLA watch: they're -1 for the tournament, tied for third with Kent State, with the back 9 that destroyed them yesterday still to play.  They're currently 4 strokes ahead of UNC in 6th.  It would be an epic collapse for them to miss the top 6, but I have started to entertain that very possibility. They don't even need to be as bad as they were yesterday on the back 9 for that to happen!

We're still doing just fine (-6 for the day, -8 for the tournament). Wang birdied the 7th to get back to even par, so right now, we're counting a -3 (Liu), a -2 (Lee), a -1 (Valenzuela), and an E (Wang). Aubert is +1 through 8. The lead over Ole Miss is 4 strokes.

[ColoradoTree]

Oregon sure came back to Earth.  While most other teams were going low or holding their own on the front 9, Oregon shot +5 for the front 9 today and is now on the wrong side of the cutline with the back 9 still in front of them.  (Of course, right before I was about to post this, one of their players went and eagled the 10th, so they're right back in it. Golf, man. EDIT: Then, as SOON as I post this, the same player who eagled the 10th takes a double bogey on the 11th. What the course giveth, the course taketh away.)

UCLA watch: they're -1 for the tournament, tied for third with Kent State, with the back 9 that destroyed them yesterday still to play.  They're currently 4 strokes ahead of UNC in 6th.  It would be an epic collapse for them to miss the top 6, but I have started to entertain that very possibility. They don't even need to be as bad as they were yesterday on the back 9 for that to happen!

We're still doing just fine (-6 for the day, -8 for the tournament). Wang birdied the 7th to get back to even par, so right now, we're counting a -3 (Liu), a -2 (Lee), a -1 (Valenzuela), and an E (Wang). Aubert is +1 through 8. The lead over Ole Miss is 4 strokes.

[Spiny_Norman]

The action is pretty much complete at Tallahassee and Madison. Austin has a few holes remaining but the top 6 is pretty well set.

Top seeds pretty much all advancing at Tallahassee, Madison and Austin. Highest seeded team to miss out is 11th ranked Michigan State.

As Hulk noted, the shocker was the regional victory by Oregon State's Nicole Schroeder. She advances to the national tournament even if her team did not quite make it.

In San Francisco, Stanford has opened a lead with 9 holes to play. There is a rugby scrum around the cut line with 5, maybe 6 teams fighting for the final spot. All are playing the more difficult back 9 except for San Diego State.  They still play the 9th, statistically the easiest hole all week to birdie. The Aztecs are several shots behind so they need all the help they can get.

[Spiny_Norman]

The action is pretty much complete at Tallahassee and Madison. Austin has a few holes remaining but the top 6 is pretty well set.

Top seeds pretty much all advancing at Tallahassee, Madison and Austin. Highest seeded team to miss out is 11th ranked Michigan State.

As Hulk noted, the shocker was the regional victory by Oregon State's Nicole Schroeder. She advances to the national tournament even if her team did not quite make it.

In San Francisco, Stanford has opened a lead with 9 holes to play. There is a rugby scrum around the cut line with 5, maybe 6 teams fighting for the final spot. All are playing the more difficult back 9 except for San Diego State.  They still play the 9th, statistically the easiest hole all week to birdie. The Aztecs are several shots behind so they need all the help they can get.

[ColoradoTree]

Stanford's front 9 couldn't have gone much better. They're now -8 on the day, -10 for the tournament, and they have a 7-shot lead over Ole Miss and UCLA (tied for second at -3) with the back 9 all that's left. Lee is tied for the individual lead again after getting a birdie on the 9th.

[ColoradoTree]

Stanford's front 9 couldn't have gone much better. They're now -8 on the day, -10 for the tournament, and they have a 7-shot lead over Ole Miss and UCLA (tied for second at -3) with the back 9 all that's left. Lee is tied for the individual lead again after getting a birdie on the 9th.

[ColoradoTree]

Lee bogeyed the 10th and 11th, but everyone else has had a nice start to the back 9.  *knocks on wood*  Wang, in particular, is on fire, making birdies on her last 3 holes (9-11) and four of her last 5 to take the overall tournament lead! 

Today's Stanford scores so far (overall tournament in parentheses):

T-1. Wang -3 (-7)
T-1. Liu -3 (E)
3. Valenzuela -2 (+1)
4. Lee -1 (-5)
5. Aubert E (+6)

UCLA, sadly, is not showing signs of incipient collapse. They're just 5 strokes back of us heading into that tough 13-15 stretch.

[ColoradoTree]

Lee bogeyed the 10th and 11th, but everyone else has had a nice start to the back 9.  *knocks on wood*  Wang, in particular, is on fire, making birdies on her last 3 holes (9-11) and four of her last 5 to take the overall tournament lead! 

Today's Stanford scores so far (overall tournament in parentheses):

T-1. Wang -3 (-7)
T-1. Liu -3 (E)
3. Valenzuela -2 (+1)
4. Lee -1 (-5)
5. Aubert E (+6)

UCLA, sadly, is not showing signs of incipient collapse. They're just 5 strokes back of us heading into that tough 13-15 stretch.

[Spiny_Norman]

Louisville went 7 under (!!) on the final four holes to move from below to comfortably above the cut line. Colorado on the other hand has gone 5 over on the final four holes. They are one shot back of Oklahoma State for the final spot. But OSU still has to play 18, the hardest hole on the course. Btw, OSU is riding the back of their #5 player who is -4 today with two holes remaining.

The Stanford-UCLA battle at the top is meaningful. Stanford has not beaten UCLA all year. A strong finish and a regional championship for the Cardinal over the Bruins would be a great shot of confidence heading into the national tournament.

[Spiny_Norman]

Louisville went 7 under (!!) on the final four holes to move from below to comfortably above the cut line. Colorado on the other hand has gone 5 over on the final four holes. They are one shot back of Oklahoma State for the final spot. But OSU still has to play 18, the hardest hole on the course. Btw, OSU is riding the back of their #5 player who is -4 today with two holes remaining.

The Stanford-UCLA battle at the top is meaningful. Stanford has not beaten UCLA all year. A strong finish and a regional championship for the Cardinal over the Bruins would be a great shot of confidence heading into the national tournament.

[ColoradoTree]

Meanwhile, UCLA is surging while we aren't, playing the back 9 so far in -5 compared to our +1. Aubert and Valenzuela bogeyed 14 and Wang bogeyed 13 to bring us down to a still-excellent -7 on the day.  UCLA is playing the back 9 significantly better than yesterday, led by Galdiano (birdied 11, 13, and 14) and Tavatanakit (4 straight birdies on 9-12 before bogeying 13).  UCLA has less room for error, however, as their #3, Bethany Wu, is +5 today, so they can't afford to give away strokes elsewhere in the lineup.  (Our non-counting score right now is Aubert at +1 through 15.)

We're now just one stroke ahead of UCLA for the tournament. I would very much like to beat them today.  I get that it doesn't really matter and both teams will make it to Stillwater, but can I just have this, please?

EDIT: Both teams are through the 13-15 stretch, and Stanford continues to lead by 1. Through the first two rounds, Stanford played 16-18 in even par, while UCLA played the same holes in +5, so hopefully we can create a little distance here.

---

Louisville went 7 under (!!) on the final four holes to move from below to comfortably above the cut line. Colorado on the other hand has gone 5 over on the final four holes. They are one shot back of Oklahoma State for the final spot. But OSU still has to play 18, the hardest hole on the course. Btw, OSU is riding the back of their #5 player who is -4 today with two holes remaining.

The Stanford-UCLA battle at the top is meaningful. Stanford has not beaten UCLA all year. A strong finish and a regional championship for the Cardinal over the Bruins would be a great shot of confidence heading into the national tournament.

Oh, no! Oklahoma State's #5 player double-bogeyed 18!  That's it for them, and Colorado will advance after all.

[ColoradoTree]

Meanwhile, UCLA is surging while we aren't, playing the back 9 so far in -5 compared to our +1. Aubert and Valenzuela bogeyed 14 and Wang bogeyed 13 to bring us down to a still-excellent -7 on the day.  UCLA is playing the back 9 significantly better than yesterday, led by Galdiano (birdied 11, 13, and 14) and Tavatanakit (4 straight birdies on 9-12 before bogeying 13).  UCLA has less room for error, however, as their #3, Bethany Wu, is +5 today, so they can't afford to give away strokes elsewhere in the lineup.  (Our non-counting score right now is Aubert at +1 through 15.)

We're now just one stroke ahead of UCLA for the tournament. I would very much like to beat them today.  I get that it doesn't really matter and both teams will make it to Stillwater, but can I just have this, please?

EDIT: Both teams are through the 13-15 stretch, and Stanford continues to lead by 1. Through the first two rounds, Stanford played 16-18 in even par, while UCLA played the same holes in +5, so hopefully we can create a little distance here.

---

Louisville went 7 under (!!) on the final four holes to move from below to comfortably above the cut line. Colorado on the other hand has gone 5 over on the final four holes. They are one shot back of Oklahoma State for the final spot. But OSU still has to play 18, the hardest hole on the course. Btw, OSU is riding the back of their #5 player who is -4 today with two holes remaining.

The Stanford-UCLA battle at the top is meaningful. Stanford has not beaten UCLA all year. A strong finish and a regional championship for the Cardinal over the Bruins would be a great shot of confidence heading into the national tournament.

Oh, no! Oklahoma State's #5 player double-bogeyed 18!  That's it for them, and Colorado will advance after all.

[Spiny_Norman]

Oh, no! Oklahoma State's #5 player double-bogeyed 18!  That's it for them, and Colorado will advance after all.

Golf is a cruel, cruel game.

The margin between success and failure can be so small. Oklahoma State's #1 player also bogied 18. Change either of those scores by a shot and it's a different story.

But the story looks to be Colorado advancing to the nationals for the first time since 2012. The Buffaloes missed qualifying last year by one shot. They missed qualifying in 2016 by one shot. This year it appears they will make it by one shot.

[Spiny_Norman]

Oh, no! Oklahoma State's #5 player double-bogeyed 18!  That's it for them, and Colorado will advance after all.

Golf is a cruel, cruel game.

The margin between success and failure can be so small. Oklahoma State's #1 player also bogied 18. Change either of those scores by a shot and it's a different story.

But the story looks to be Colorado advancing to the nationals for the first time since 2012. The Buffaloes missed qualifying last year by one shot. They missed qualifying in 2016 by one shot. This year it appears they will make it by one shot.

[Spiny_Norman]

Congratulations to Stanford, the regional champs!  They finished 4 shots ahead of UCLA.

Individual places:
2. Emily Wang (soph)
8. Andrea Lee (soph)
17. Mika Liu (frosh)
27. Albane Valenzuela (soph)
60. Shannon Aubert (senior)

Stanford now has a little more than a week to rest, practice and get ready for the NCAA tournament in Stillwater, OK which begins on Friday, May 18. The format is 72 holes of medal play followed by head-to-head match play for the low 8 teams.  The Golf Channel will broadcast some of the action, probably starting with the final round of medal play on Monday the 21st.

[Spiny_Norman]

Congratulations to Stanford, the regional champs!  They finished 4 shots ahead of UCLA.

Individual places:
2. Emily Wang (soph)
8. Andrea Lee (soph)
17. Mika Liu (frosh)
27. Albane Valenzuela (soph)
60. Shannon Aubert (senior)

Stanford now has a little more than a week to rest, practice and get ready for the NCAA tournament in Stillwater, OK which begins on Friday, May 18. The format is 72 holes of medal play followed by head-to-head match play for the low 8 teams.  The Golf Channel will broadcast some of the action, probably starting with the final round of medal play on Monday the 21st.

[BobK]

We got better each day.   Just as Hulk said we would.

[BobK]

We got better each day.   Just as Hulk said we would.