VERONA, Wis. – Freshman Paula Miranda fired a five-under par 67 en route to the first round lead Sunday afternoon at the Badger Invitational at the University Ridge Golf Course.
The 67 is Miranda’s career low and is tied for the second lowest round in school history behind teammate Lea Zeitler’s 66 last spring. Miranda is tied with Jessica Ip (2018), Shelby Phillips (2013) and Brianna Coopman (2009) in the record books.
The Puebla, Mexico, native is three shots ahead of Wisconsin’s Vanessa Ho and Mackenzie Hahn, who both sit at -2. Miranda started fast, birdieing her first two holes before rolling in seven straight pars to shoot a 34 on the front. She had three pars to start the second nine before birdieing the par-4 13th and she closed strong, birdieing two of her final three holes.
WHAT. A. ROUND!!!!
Freshman Paula Miranda shoots a five-under par 67 — tied for the 2nd lowest round in school history — and she’s leading the Badger Invitational by three shots heading into Monday’s second round!#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/DEDoRmTLge
— Iowa Women’s Golf (@IowaWomensGolf) September 19, 2021
“Paula came out so strong and did a great job of keeping the momentum going all day,” said head coach Megan Menzel. “A bogey free round on this course was outstanding. I thought our team really worked all day and Dana (Lerner) is playing some inspiring golf. We are looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow.”
The Hawkeyes are sixth in the team standings after shooting a nine-over par 297. Iowa is six shots out of second place heading into Monday’s second round, while Wisconsin leads the field with a five-under 283.
Senior Dana Lerner was two-under par through the first nine before finishing with a 74 (+2). She had three birdies and 11 pars during the round to tie for 20th place.
Junior Morgan Goldstein posted a 77 (+5) to tie for 44th after shooting an even par 36 over her second nine, while Zeitler’s 79 (+7) puts her tied for 55th and sophomore Klara Wildhaber’s 81 (+9) puts her in 68th.
Junior Lilly Gentzkow, who is competing as an individual, is tied for 62nd after shooting an 80 (+8).
Round two is set to begin at 9 a.m. (CT)