SAN JOSE, Calif. – Junior Kristin Le navigated the first 36 holes on the 6,181-yard, par-72 Silver Creek Valley Country Club course to a 1-under 143, leading Santa Clara women's golf to a six-shot lead after the first day of the Colby Invitational.
Looking for her second consecutive individual title, Le is the only player under par and takes a four-shot lead over Cal State Northridge's Chomchana Phuchanbanchob into Tuesday's final round. Le won the Lady Mustang Invitational last week and can become the second player in program history to win back-to-back individual medalist honors.
"Kristin played great today," head coach Krystal Kelly said. "She's been very steady for us all season."
The Broncos took a two-shot lead after their first round 309 and put some distance between themselves and Cal State Northridge with a tournament-low 297 in the second round. With a 606 total, Santa Clara is six shots ahead of the Matadors (612) and 17 strokes better than Montana State.
"They played very well, especially in the second round," Kelly said of her team. "We got off to a slow start in the first round, but I'm really proud of them for hanging in there."
After winning the team title at the Wyoming Cowgirl Desert Intercollegiate on Oct. 2 and claiming hardware last week at the Lady Mustang Invitational, the Broncos are in line to defend their Colby title and post a third consecutive team win for the first time in history.
Junior Isabella Salant carded a career-low and tournament-best 2-under 70 in the second round and holds down a sixth-place tie with an 8-over 152. Senior Annie Freman is tied for eighth at 10-over 154.
"I'm excited for them to tee it up tomorrow," Kelly concluded.
Final round action is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. PT with a shotgun start.
Santa Clara 2nd Round Individual Results
1. Kristin Le 72-71 = 143 (-1)
T6. Isabella Salant 82-70 = 152 (+8)
T8. Annie Freman 76-78 = 154 (+10)
T15. Kyleigh Moreno 79-78 = 157 (+13)
38. Chloe Wong 89-83 = 172 (+28)
Competing as an individual
T11. Isabella Seeburger 76-79 = 155 (+11)
T24. Cynthia Navis 83-81 = 164 (+20)
T36. Keilyn Ing 85-84 = 169 (+25)
