CARLSBAD, Calif. – No. 6 Auburn women’s golf opened the NCAA Championship with a 14-over 302 on Friday at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa Champions Course in Carlsbad, California. The Tigers are in 30th place after the first round. Southern California leads the event at 7-under (281).
“Golf doesn’t always reward effort right away, but it always reveals character,” Auburn head coach Melissa Luellen said. “Today tested us, and while the putts didn’t fall and the numbers added up, the fight never left. Charlotte (Cantonis) showed grit, and the rest of the squad showed flashes of what we’re capable of. Now it’s about patience and purpose, one shot and one hole at a time.
“With three days ahead, calm mornings and Balma (Dávalos) bringing her fire back to the lineup, we’re far from finished.”
Auburn freshman Charlotte Cantonis posted the best round of the day for the Tigers with a 1-over 73. Her round was highlighted by an approach shot to within two feet on the par-4 13th hole that set up a birdie. Cantonis is tied for 60th individually.
Charlotte on target 🎯
— Auburn Women's Golf (@AuburnWGolf) May 22, 2026
This approach led to a birdie on 13!#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/RjpukOQfcM
Katie Cranston and Carys Worby each carded rounds of 76 (+4) and are both tied for 113th. Auburn junior Anna Davis added the final counting score with a 5-over 77.
Substitutions are allowed between rounds during the NCAA postseason, and Auburn sophomore Balma Dávalos will appear in Saturday’s second round in place of Cranston. Auburn will tee off in round two at 8:52 a.m. CT from No. 10.
All 30 teams will play three rounds of stroke play through Sunday. After round three, the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on advancing teams will make the 54-hole cut and play the final round of stroke play Monday, when the individual national champion will be crowned.
The top eight teams after Monday will advance to match play. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place Tuesday, with the championship match scheduled for Wednesday.
BabyGrande Golf will provide streaming coverage of rounds two and three before Golf Channel picks up coverage Monday through Wednesday. Golf Channel will broadcast Monday’s final round of stroke play from 4:30-8:30 p.m. CT, Tuesday’s quarterfinals from 12-2:30 p.m. CT and semifinals from 5-9 p.m. CT, and Wednesday’s championship match from 5-9 p.m. CT.
Live scoring will be available at scoreboard.clippd.com.
Auburn individuals:
|
Placement |
Player |
Round 1 Score |
|
T60 |
73 (+1) |
|
|
T113 |
76 (+4) |
|
|
T113 |
76 (+4) |
|
|
T122 |
77 (+5) |
|
|
T143 |
79 (+7) |