ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Columbia women’s golf team competed in its first NCAA Regional round in 19 years on Monday at the University of Michigan Golf Course. The Lions shot a team round of 12-over-par 296 and are tied for eighth in the 12-team field.
The 2026 Ivy League Champions, Columbia was led by first year Emily Zeng. The Second Team All-Ivy League selection shot a solid 1-under-par 70, carding two birdies and just a lone bogey. Starting at the 10th, she posted eight straight pars before bogeying the 18th hole to make the turn at 1 over. Zeng bounced right back with a birdie at the par-5 first and rolled home another at the par-4 seventh to get to red numbers. The Beijing native closed out her round with back-to-back pars at holes 8 and 9.
First year Kristina Xu carded three birdies, three bogeys and a double at the par-4 15th to post an opening-round 2-over 73. Sophomore Sarah Shao was even through 10 holes before posting an unfortunate 10 at the par-4 second after hitting two tee shots out of bounds. She then doubled the par-5 third but bounced back in a big way, birdieing three of her last five holes to salvage a 5-over-par 76 and keep her team in the race. Xu is tied for 27th and Shao is in the top 50.
Columbia’s counting scores were rounded out by first year Camille Thai posting a 6-over 77. Sophomore Christine Chang shot a 79.
The Lions will tee off in threesomes with Kansas and UNLV for Tuesday’s second round. UNLV (+7) is in seventh, while Kansas (+12) is tied for eighth with Columbia, as is 23rd-ranked Oklahoma.
Defending NCAA champion Northwestern and Ohio State are the co-leaders at 5 under par. Central Florida (+3) is in the all-important fifth-place position. The top five teams and the low individual not on an advancing team from each regional will advance to play at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships, May 22-27, at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
The Lions will tee off at the first hole in Tuesday’s second round, beginning at 8:55 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.