SUGAR GROVE, Ill. – Andrea Lee fired a 1-under 71 to spark the top-ranked Stanford women's golf team Sunday in Round Two of the NCAA Championships at cold and windy Rich Harvest Farms.
A WGCA finalist for national Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, Lee fashioned six birdies in difficult conditions to help the Cardinal improve 13 strokes from Friday's opening round.
Counting the best four out of five scores, Stanford posted a 10-over 298 and is third at 33-over 609. Sunday's total matched leader Northwestern for the low round of the day. The Wildcats are at 23-over 599.
"Our top three players (Lee, Albane Valenzuela and Casey Danielson) handled it really well," said Anne Walker, the Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Golf. "They fought really, really hard."
Lee, a three-time winner this season, reeled off consecutive birdies at five, six and seven, draining a long bunker shot at the latter after coming up short of the green with her short approach.
"I was a little frustrated," she said. "I was kind of smiling to myself and said, 'Okay, you can get this up and down.' It was really nice to see it go in. I haven't had a bunker hole-out in a while."
Lee added birdies at 14, 16 and 17, then showed great resiliency at the downhill par-5 18th.
She pushed her drive slightly to the right, but the ball hit a tree and caromed into tall grass. Despite the help of a spotter and about 40 spectators, it wasn't found. Lee was forced to play her provisional drive, hit a nice second shot just short of the green, then made a clutch up and down for bogey, sinking an eight-foot putt.
"It was tough out there, but I stayed very patient and held it together," said Lee, who is tied for sixth at 4-over 148. "I'm pretty proud of the way I played."
Stanford also received gritty performances from Valenzuela (73), Danielson (75) and freshman Madie Choi (79), while junior Shannon Aubert added an 81. Valenzuela registered three birdies and Danielson had four.
The individual stroke play medalist will also be determined Monday. Jennifer Kupcho of Wake Forest is the pacesetter at even par 144. Valenzuela is knotted for 10th at 6-over 150.
The second round was supposed to be played Saturday, but was canceled due to inclement weather. As a result, the 72-hole stroke play portion of the championship was shortened to 54 holes and will end Monday. All 24 teams will play, with the top eight advancing to match play on Tuesday.
Miami occupies eighth place at 43-over 619.
"We're not going to change anything," said Walker, whose team is attempting to reach the match-play finals for the third consecutive year. "Just try to avoid big numbers. There are birdies to be made, as Andrea, Casey and Albane showed today. Even if there's not, it's not like anyone is tearing up the course and we're losing ground. Par is your friend."
Stanford will tee off from 12:40 p.m. through 1:24 p.m. CT and is paired with Northwestern and second-place Kent State (31-over, 607). The round will be televised live on the Golf Channel from 1-5 p.m. PT.
To follow live scoring, visit GoStanford.com.