Women’s Golf Dominates First Day at Riverbend Intercollegiate: University of Houston Takes the Lead!

SUGAR LAND, Texas – The University of Houston Women’s Golf team is off to a fantastic start at the Riverbend Intercollegiate. After the first day of competition at Riverbend Country Club, they topped the leaderboard with five players in the Top 13.

The Cougars played on a 6,148-yard, par-72 course and kicked off the tournament with a score of 2-under 286 in the morning. By the end of the first 36 holes, they had a total score of 574, giving them a commanding 20-shot lead over Abilene Christian.

Junior Moa Svedenskiold took the individual lead with an impressive 7-under 137. Close behind, junior Alexa Saldana held third place with a score of 139, and sophomore Maelynn Kim was tied for 10th at 146. Additionally, junior Natalie Saint Germain was tied for fifth at 144, and sophomore Ellen Yates was tied for 13th at 149.

Svedenskiold had a great day, starting with a solid 70 in the morning round. In the afternoon, she hit five birdies without any bogeys, including consecutive birdies on holes 11 and 12, which helped her secure her leading position.

Saldana also had a remarkable performance, shooting 68 in her first round, highlighted by a series of birdies. She began strong with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes and added more throughout the day.

Saint Germain also made her mark with a score of 70, starting her afternoon round with a birdie on hole four and securing two more birdies shortly after.

Kim ended the day tied for 10th with 146, while Yates was tied for 13th with 149. Junior Hyeonji Kang wrapped up the day in 24th place with a score of 151. Among the individuals, freshman Annika Ishiyama was tied for 51st at 158 and senior Brooke Morales was tied for 56th at 160.

Odessa College came in third with a score of 597, while UT Arlington and New Mexico State were tied for fourth at 598.

The final round starts Tuesday morning, and fans can follow the live scoring of the tournament here.

After this event, the Cougars will head to the Florida State Match Up at Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee, Florida, on March 21-23, followed by the Texas Showdown on April 7-8.