CLEVELAND, Tenn. - The No. 6 Lynn University women's golf team opened the NCAA South Regional Tournament in impressive fashion on Monday afternoon, sitting atop the leaderboard after round one with a team score of +6 at Cleveland Country Club. The Fighting Knights combined depth, consistency, and aggressive scoring to take the early lead in a highly competitive 18-team field.
 
INSIDE THE TOURNAMENT:
2026 NCAA DII South Regional (Round 1)
Lynn Ranking: 1st out of 18 (+6)
Lynn Top Performer: Leelou Girault - T2 (E, 72)
Current Team Leader: Lynn (+6)
Current Individual Leader: Olivia Meinecke, Wingate (-2)
Course Details: Cleveland CC | Cleveland, Tenn. | 6,036 yds | Par 72
 
ROUND ONE RECAP:
- The Fighting Knights opened the tournament with a +6 team score, giving them a five-stroke lead over the field after the first round
- Leelou Girault paced Lynn with an even-par 72, highlighted by a strong 35 on the back nine to move into a tie for second individually
- Emilia Koskinen and Amelia Ruiz Topali followed closely, each carding 73 (+1) to sit tied for fourth and give Lynn three players inside the top five
- Vanessa Ramirez added a 76 (+4), delivering a key counting score to round out Lynn's team total
- Scarlet Weidig posted a 78 (+6), as the Fighting Knights maintained consistency across the lineup on a challenging regional setup
- Lynn separated itself with dominant play on the par-5s, leading the entire field with a 4.75 scoring average (-5) and capitalizing on key scoring opportunities
- The Blue and White also led the tournament with 15 total birdies, showcasing an aggressive approach that paid off throughout the round
- Lynn ranked third in the field on par-4 scoring (+14) and held steady on par-3s (+3), avoiding big numbers and maintaining control
- The Fighting Knights recorded 51 pars (tied for sixth) and limited damage with just three double bogeys or worse, reinforcing a disciplined and composed performance
- Individually, Koskinen (4 birdies) ranked among the field leaders, while multiple Lynn golfers excelled on par-5s, including Koskinen (-3), Vanessa Ramirez (-2), and Girault (-2)
 
UP NEXT:
Lynn returns to the course at 8:30 a.m. for the final 36 holes of the NCAA South Regional, looking to build on its strong opening performance and maintain its position atop the leaderboard.