University of Minnesota Athletics
Friday, May 22
Carlsbad, CA
University of Minnesota
at
NCAA Championships
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Photo by: Brad Repplinger
Gophers' McCauley Under Par in Day One of NCAA Championships Friday
5/22/2026 9:15:00 PM | Women's Golf
Senior in 13th through 18 holes
CARLSBAD, Calif. - University of Minnesota senior Isabella McCauley used a strong finish to card a 2-under-par 70 during round one of stroke play at the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Golf National Championships from The North Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Friday evening.
The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native sits tied for 13th place in the field of 156 of the NCAA's best golfers representing 30 teams and six individuals. She is just two shots back of the overall leaders through the first round thanks to her first time shooting under par in seven career rounds at the NCAA National Championships.
Making her third appearance in the event, McCauley went out in 1-over-par 37 on the front nine before turning her day around down the stretch. The senior fired four of her six total birdies across the final seven holes, including birdies on both No. 17 and 18, securing her under-par performance with a 3-under-par 33 on the back nine.
No. 2 USC holds a one-shot advantage over top-ranked Stanford with a team score of 281 (-7) through the first day of competition. Ellie Bushnell of Oklahoma State and Megha Ganne from Stanford are tied for the individual lead, holding a one-shot edge after posting rounds of 68 (-4).
Looking Ahead:
The NCAA National Championships continue Saturday, May 23 with the second round of stroke play. The first pairings will begin at 8:30 a.m. (CT), while McCauley and her group will tee off on the 10th hole in the morning wave at 10:42 a.m. (CT). Fans can follow along with live results through Scoreboard by Clippd.
The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native sits tied for 13th place in the field of 156 of the NCAA's best golfers representing 30 teams and six individuals. She is just two shots back of the overall leaders through the first round thanks to her first time shooting under par in seven career rounds at the NCAA National Championships.
Making her third appearance in the event, McCauley went out in 1-over-par 37 on the front nine before turning her day around down the stretch. The senior fired four of her six total birdies across the final seven holes, including birdies on both No. 17 and 18, securing her under-par performance with a 3-under-par 33 on the back nine.
No. 2 USC holds a one-shot advantage over top-ranked Stanford with a team score of 281 (-7) through the first day of competition. Ellie Bushnell of Oklahoma State and Megha Ganne from Stanford are tied for the individual lead, holding a one-shot edge after posting rounds of 68 (-4).
Looking Ahead:
The NCAA National Championships continue Saturday, May 23 with the second round of stroke play. The first pairings will begin at 8:30 a.m. (CT), while McCauley and her group will tee off on the 10th hole in the morning wave at 10:42 a.m. (CT). Fans can follow along with live results through Scoreboard by Clippd.
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