AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips golf team kicked off the MAC Championships with a score of 293 (+13) at Firestone Country Club. Kaitlin Kormuth led the charge, finishing her first round with an even par 70, placing her within the Top 10 on the leaderboard.
Kormuth started strong, going 1-under par on the front nine. She scored her first birdie on the 317-yard fourth hole. After a bogey on the ninth hole, she maintained her momentum with three consecutive pars. Her second birdie of the day came on hole 13, bringing her total to three birdies and 13 pars for the round.
Maisarah Hezri followed closely, marking a 2-over par 72, which put her in 14th place overall. She had an impressive front nine, finishing even par with three birdies. She added another birdie on the back nine, totaling four birdies alongside nine pars.
Kirida Na Songkhla, playing in her championship debut, finished with a 4-over 74, ranking 21st. She recorded 11 pars and two birdies. Sohniya Chandra Mohan and Hridhika Vora rounded out the scoring for the Zips, finishing with 77 (+7) and 78 (+8) respectively.
As the Zips head into the second day, they sit in sixth place, trailing Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Bowling Green, Ball State, and Western Michigan.
Interestingly, golf’s growing popularity among collegiate athletes mirrors trends in professional sports. According to the National Golf Foundation, youth participation in golf has increased by over 20% in recent years, showcasing the sport’s rising appeal.
The second round starts Monday at 9 a.m. Vora will tee off first, followed by Chandra Mohan, Na Songkhla, Hezri, and Kormuth.
Current Scores:
- 6 Akron: 293 (+13)
- 7 Kaitlin Kormuth: 70 (E)
- 14 Maisarah Hezri: 72 (+2)
- 21 Kirida Na Songkhla: 74 (+4)
- 40 Sohniya Chandra Mohan: 77 (+7)
- 43 Hridhika Vora: 78 (+8)
For more insights into the growth of golf and its impact on student-athletes, check out the National Golf Foundation’s latest report.
