SHENZHEN, China – LSU senior Tessa Teachman survived a struggle at the start of her round to post a 4-over 76 in the first round of the World University Games golf event at the Mission Hills Golf Club on Wednesday.
Teachman, triple-bogeyed the par-4 second hole but stayed the course to shoot 3-over on the front nine and just 1-over on the final nine holes to post a 4-over 76 on the opening day, good for a tie for 21st place in the field of 75.
The first day leader is Hsuanyu Yao of Taiwan with a 4-under 68, after shooting 4-under on the front side for the round and even-par on the final nine holes. She is one shot ahead of Min Jeong Ko of Korea at 3-under 69. Catherine O’Donnell is the top American as the North Carolina Tar Heel is at 1-under 71 in a tie for fourth.
In the team competition where three players compete with two counting scores, the American team is in a tie for sixth at 4-over 148. The USA counted O’Donnell’s 71 and Booker Beeler’s 77. Beeler is from TCU.
The leader is Taipei at 5-under 138, six shots ahead of China at 145. A total of 21 teams are competing for the Gold Medal in this 72-hole competition that continues through Saturday.