SAN MARCOS, Texas – University of Houston Women’s Golf senior Natalie Saint Germain fired a pair of 69s Sunday to lead the Cougars and tie for second following the first day of the Jim West Challenge at Kissing Tree Golf Club on Sunday.
As a team, the Cougars bettered their morning score by 16 strokes at 7-under 281 and stood in fourth with a 36-hole score of 576 on the 6,115-yard, par-72 course.
Starting the tournament off No. 2, Saint Germain moved under par with a birdie on the par-5 third hole and overcame a bogey at No. 4 with another birdie at No. 5. The Prague native added back-to-back birdies at Nos. 8-9 and made her final birdie in the First Round at the par-4 18th hole to finish with a 69.
In the afternoon, Saint Germain fought through a bogey on her first hole at No. 2 and returned to even par with a birdie at No. 5. Despite a bogey at No. 12, Saint Germain rallied with two birdies in a three-hole stretch at Nos. 14-16 and drained the team’s lone eagle at the 241-yard, par-4 18th hole.
Senior Alexa Saldaña joined Saint Germain under par with a 70 in the Second Round and was tied for 15th at even-par 144. The Mexico City native drained three birdies in her first six holes and added her final birdie of the day on the 311-yard, par-4 first hole.
Junior Ellen Yates added a 70 in the afternoon as well and was tied for 31st at 148 while senior Moa Svedenskiöld was tied for 35th at 149. Playing as an individual, sophomore, Emilia Väistö joined junior Maelynn Kim – who was making her season debut – in a tie for 54th at 152.
Texas Tech’s Maja Ambroziak held the individual lead at 7-under 137. Vanessa Borovilos (Texas A&M), and Florida State’s Haruhi Nakatani joined Saint Germain in a tie for second at 138. Oklahoma’s Gracie Mayo stood in fifth at 139.
Florida State stood atop the team leaderboard at 567 to finish the first day seven strokes ahead of Texas A&M. Oklahoma was in third at 576 with Texas Tech (579), TCU (479), UNLV (581), North Texas (589), Texas State (590) and Ohio State (592) completing the Top 10.
The Final Round begins with an 8:30 a.m., shotgun start Monday.
HOW to WATCH
Fans can watch the Final Round of the Jim West Challenge on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Mary Chauvin calling the action.
Monday’s play will air on ESPN+ from 8 a.m., to Noon and can be seen by clicking here.
LIVE SCORING
Fans can follow live scoring at the Jim West Challenge by clicking here.
TEE TIMES
For Monday’s Final Round, the Cougars will compete in groups with student-athletes from Florida State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma.
Saint Germain begins the day off No. 1 at 8:30 a.m., with Saldaña (No. 2), Yates (No. 3), Svedenskiöld (No. 4) and Kim (No. 5) following. Väistä begins her day off No. 17.
Fans can find Jim West Challenge complete tee times and pairings by clicking here.
UP NEXT
Following the Jim West Challenge, the Cougars close their fall season at the Landfall Tradition at Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, N.C., on Oct. 24-26.
After the winter break, Houston returns to action to begin its spring season at the Collegiate Individual at Guadalajara Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Jan. 30-31.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women’s Golf by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the P.A.R. 4 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Women’s Golf for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWGolf on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarWGolf or on the team’s Instagram page at UHCougarWGolf.
– UHCougars.com –