,Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California, August 21, 2025
News Summary
The Stanford women’s golf team faced challenging conditions on the opening day of the NCAA Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad. With gusty winds affecting play, the defending national champions ended the day at 5-over par, placing them just above the projected cut line and tied for 11th overall. Despite tough conditions, Kelly Xu managed to lead the team with an even-par score. As the tournament progresses, the Cardinal will need strong performances to move up the leaderboard in the upcoming rounds.
Carlsbad — Stanford Stumbles in Windy Start at 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship
The sun was out at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, but the day’s story was the wind. The defending national champions from Stanford began their title defense on a Friday afternoon and found themselves fighting gusts, thick rough and a back nine that chewed up scores. When the clubhouse doors closed on round one, the Cardinal sat at 5-over par, perilously close to the edge of the projected cut line and in a much quieter spot than fans expected.
Tough conditions, tougher course
Wind and tall rough made the back nine brutal — especially at hole 13, the toughest hole of the day where only one Stanford golfer managed a par. Across the field, teams battled the same elements, but a few squads found a groove while the Cardinal could not quite get all four scores low enough to stay comfortably inside the projected cut.
Where Stanford stands after round one
The team’s total left them sitting at the bottom of the projected cut at 5-over, tied for 11th overall — the Cardinal’s lowest position after an opening NCAA Championship round since 2018. This marked only the fourth time this season Stanford has posted a team score over par, a stat that underlines how rare and unwelcome this stumble is for a program so used to contending.
Individual notes: who held steady?
Stanford’s best player on day one was Kelly Xu, with an opening round 72 (even par). Xu birdied both the 16th and 18th to salvage the card and register her best opening round since March 24. Paula Martín Sampedro finished at 1-over 73 and was tied for most birdies among the Stanford players with three. Andrea Revuelta and Megha Ganne each carded 74 (2-over). Revuelta had a dramatic rebound, closing out 1-under over her last 10 holes after a double bogey on 17 — a streak that kept the team within striking distance even if the overall number looks concerning.
How the leaderboard looks
As the leaderboard settles after the opening round, Vanderbilt sits on top at 6-under par, with Oklahoma State in pursuit at 4-under. The current projected cut line is at +6, so Stanford’s +5 puts them just inside the bubble but in a vulnerable spot heading into the early tee times the next two days.
What’s next: schedule and format
Stanford will be up early. Round two tees off at 6:30 am the following morning, and the third round also starts at 6:30 am on Sunday. After 36 holes the field will be re-seeded and reduced — the cut will trim the field from 30 teams down to 15 for Monday’s final round of stroke play.
What this means for the Cardinal
Being the defending champs adds pressure and expectation. A single over-par round can be weathered in most tournaments, but at this stage of the NCAA Championship, every shot is magnified. Stanford’s talent depth gives them a reasonable chance to climb back into clear air, but they’ll need cleaner ball striking, smarter course management in the wind, and clutch putting to move up the board over the next two early-morning rounds.
Bottom line
This wasn’t the dominant opening statement Stanford hoped to make, but it wasn’t a disaster either. With a projected cut at +6 and the Cardinal at +5, the team remains alive but on thin ice. Expect gritty, low-scoring golf or heartbreak — nothing in between — as the defending champs tee off before dawn and try to climb back toward the top.
FAQ
How did Stanford do in the first round?
Stanford finished the opening round at 5-over par, tied for 11th, marking their lowest opening-round position at the NCAA Championship since 2018.
Who led the tournament after round one?
Vanderbilt led at 6-under par, followed by Oklahoma State at 4-under.
What is the projected cut line?
The projected cut line after round one is at +6. After 36 holes the field will be cut from 30 teams to 15 teams.
Who were Stanford’s top performers?
Kelly Xu led Stanford with an even-par 72. Paula Martín Sampedro shot 73, while Andrea Revuelta and Megha Ganne each shot 74.
When are the next rounds?
Round two begins at 6:30 am the next morning, and round three also starts at 6:30 am on Sunday.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship |
| Location | Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California |
| Stanford team score (Round 1) | +5 (tied for 11th) |
| Lead team | Vanderbilt at -6 |
| Second | Oklahoma State at -4 |
| Projected cut | +6 (field trimmed from 30 to 15 after 36 holes) |
| Stanford top scorer (R1) | Kelly Xu — 72 (E) |
| Other Stanford scores | Paula Martín Sampedro 73; Andrea Revuelta 74; Megha Ganne 74 |
| Next tee times (Stanford) | Round 2: 6:30 am; Round 3: 6:30 am |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Cynthia Zhang Shines at NCAA Women’s Golf Championship
Boston Women’s Golf Star Shines at NCAA Regionals
Boston Golfers Prepare for 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Regionals
Boston College Junior Set for NCAA Women’s Golf Championship Regional
Additional Resources
- Amateur Golf: Live Scoring – AGC San Diego Amateur
- Wikipedia: 2025 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship
- LPGA: Mirabel Ting Earns Points in LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway
- Google Search: NCAA Women’s Golf Championship
- Go Stanford: Work to be Done in Carlsbad
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Golf
- Amateur Golf: Late Birdie Propels Mitchell Hoey to San Diego Amateur Victory
- Google News: LPGA
- Amateur Golf: Complete – NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals
- Google Scholar: Stanford Golf
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