Full Breakdown
Baylor Women’s Golf Opens NCAA Championship with Six-Birdie Round
5/23/2026, 8:51:26 AM
Opening Round Highlights
Junior transfer Li, a California native, opened the NCAA Championship with a 3-under-par 69, carding six birdies on the Omni La Costa Resort’s North Course. Her round tied for the best par-3 score at 2-under and shared the field lead for most birdies among 156 competitors. Li held a share of the lead at 4-under through 14 holes before a double-bogey on 15, which she called a “pretty lucky double bogey.”
Background & Context
The 2026 event marks Baylor’s sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship, reflecting the program’s sustained success under head coach Jay Goble. The Bears entered the tournament tied for fifth in the morning groupings with a 1-over 289, positioning them within the top-15 cut line after the first round. Coach Goble noted that Li’s familiarity with courses like La Costa, where she grew up playing, gave her a comfort level that contributed to her performance.
Key Players & Data
Li’s six-birdie 69 was the best among the early wave; she also tied for the best par-3 score at 2-under. Teammates Brook and Charlotte each posted even-par 72 rounds, with Brook sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on 18 and Charlotte recovering from a double-bogey on 14 to finish the last four holes under par. The team’s collective 1-over 289 kept them in contention for the top-15 cut.
Official Statements
Li emphasized a low-pressure approach, noting she had no expectations and was simply enjoying playing in front of her parents at home. Coach Goble highlighted the importance of staying present, praising Brook’s performance and acknowledging Charlotte’s tendency to get distracted, crediting assistant coach Maddie for keeping her focused. Both players and coaches stressed shot-by-shot focus over leaderboard concerns.
Verbatim Quotes
- “You can't really win or make match play on the first day.” — Li, Junior Transfer, Baylor Women’s Golf
- “I'm just happy to be in my home state and playing in front of my parents and just having a good time.” — Li, Junior Transfer, Baylor Women’s Golf
- “I can't say enough about her,” — Jay Goble, Head Coach, Baylor Women’s Golf
- “and I think Maddie does a really good job of keeping her in the present, making sure she's hitting the shot ahead of her and not dwelling on something that happened two or three holes ago.” — Jay Goble, Head Coach, Baylor Women’s Golf
What’s Next
Baylor tees off Saturday at 12:12 p.m. PT, paired with Ohio State and Eastern Michigan. The team will aim to solidify its top-15 position and build on Li’s familiarity with the La Costa layout as the championship progresses.
