Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Three Lions in the Top 5 at Ivy League Women’s Golf Championship
4/24/2026 9:07:00 PM | Women's Golf
Columbia (+11) sits third, three shots off the team lead
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Columbia sophomore Sarah Shao, first year Kristina Xu and first year Camille Thai are all in the top five after the opening round of the Ivy League Women's Golf Championship. The three-day event began on Friday from Baltusrol Golf Club.
Columbia (+11) led for most of the day and is just three shots back of 18-hole leader Princeton (+8). Harvard (+10) is second. The three teams will play together in Saturday's second round.
Shao carded a team-best round of 1-over-par 73 at the Lower Course's 6,085-yard layout. She took advantage of the par 5s, birdieing the first, the seventh and the 17th to play them 3-under on the day and tie for the lowest par-5 scoring average. Her 1-over round is three shots behind individual leader Thanana Kotchasanmanee of Princeton.
Thai and Xu are tied for fourth after opening rounds of 2-over 74. Both first years also birdied the first. Thai added another at the par-4 13th, while Xu made a round-leading 14 pars. As a team, the Lions totaled a tournament-leading 71 pars, seven better than the next team (Dartmouth), and led the field in par-4 scoring (4.22).
First year Bridget Chantharath and sophomore Christine Chang shot opening rounds of 78 and are tied for 20th. Emily Zeng (+8) is in 28th.
Due to expected inclement weather, tee times for both the men's and women's golf championships will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The women will begin on hole No. 1. The Lions are slated to tee off in threesomes with Princeton and Harvard, beginning at 9 a.m.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia women's golf, follow @CULionsWGolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Columbia (+11) led for most of the day and is just three shots back of 18-hole leader Princeton (+8). Harvard (+10) is second. The three teams will play together in Saturday's second round.
Shao carded a team-best round of 1-over-par 73 at the Lower Course's 6,085-yard layout. She took advantage of the par 5s, birdieing the first, the seventh and the 17th to play them 3-under on the day and tie for the lowest par-5 scoring average. Her 1-over round is three shots behind individual leader Thanana Kotchasanmanee of Princeton.
Thai and Xu are tied for fourth after opening rounds of 2-over 74. Both first years also birdied the first. Thai added another at the par-4 13th, while Xu made a round-leading 14 pars. As a team, the Lions totaled a tournament-leading 71 pars, seven better than the next team (Dartmouth), and led the field in par-4 scoring (4.22).
First year Bridget Chantharath and sophomore Christine Chang shot opening rounds of 78 and are tied for 20th. Emily Zeng (+8) is in 28th.
Due to expected inclement weather, tee times for both the men's and women's golf championships will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The women will begin on hole No. 1. The Lions are slated to tee off in threesomes with Princeton and Harvard, beginning at 9 a.m.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia women's golf, follow @CULionsWGolf on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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