SAN FRANCISCO – Second-seeded Stanford jumped three spots for a share of the lead on a windy and chilly Tuesday during the second round of the NCAA Regional Championships at TPC Harding Park.
Stanford went 1-under (287) on the par-72 course to move from fourth after the opening round to the top of the leaderboard. The Cardinal, 2-under through 36 holes, shares the lead among the 18-team field with Kent State.
The Cardinal was one of only three teams to shoot under par on the day,
Wednesday's round will be the last of the 54-hole event. It is one of four regional competitions, with the low six teams advancing to the 2018 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
"I think we had a great round today," said Anne Walker, Stanford's Margot and Mitch Milias Director of Women's Golf. "The course played much more difficult than yesterday given these conditions. Our consistency and steadiness got us through today's round -- there were no super highs or super lows.
"Ziyi (Wang) was steady for us again today, and we've seen this coming for a long time. Her confidence is matching up with the work she's been putting in, and it's paying off.
"This is now a one-day tournament. We need to post the number we need and get out of here."
Wang hopped out of the gate with the hot hand for the second time in as many rounds, shelving three birdies through four holes. She was even on the back nine, leading the Cardinal with a 3-under 69. Wang is tied for second among individuals.
Andrea Lee, who shared the individual lead heading into the round, was even-par through 14, closing with two bogeys over the last six holes. At 4-under, Lee is still within striking distance to collect her seventh career win, as both she and Wang are only one stroke behind clubhouse leader Hira Naveed of Pepperdine. Naveed fired a second-round 67 to hold the top position.
Albane Valenzuela and Mika Liu each shot even-par, and are tied for 38th through two rounds. One of Liu's three back-nine birdies was aided by a 45-foot putt on the par-3 11th.
Shannon Aubert turned at 1-under, finishing with a 2-over 74 for a share of 59th.
Live results for Wednesday's round will be available at GoStanford.com.
