CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA — One day after setting the course championship record, Stanford shot even lower and posted an 18-under (270) to lead by 15 after three rounds of the 2025 ɬַ Division I Women’s Golf Championships being played on the North Course at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa (6,330 yards/par 72).
A little morning rain couldn’t slow down Stanford as they shot an all-time ɬַ women’s golf championship record for a single round relative to par. The score also tied for the third-best record in Stanford program history. Final round play on Monday will determine seeding for the eight teams advancing to match play, with the individual champion also crowned.
Stanford’s historic effort was led by freshman Meja Örtengren, who carded five consecutive birdies on the back nine en route to a 6-under (66).
“I think it was a very steady round,” said Örtengren . “I had some good shots in the beginning and then rolled in some few good putts in the back nine.”
The Cardinal also delivered weekend best performances from Paula Martin Sampedro (5-under), Kelly Xu (4-under) and Andrea Revuelta (3-under). Sampedro, last year’s third-place finisher, is second on the individual leaderboard at 8-under heading into the final round.
“I think it would be super special (to win the individual championship),” said Sampedro. “But I'm just focused on just playing my own game, sticking to my plan. The team is doing a great job too. I just think that we've been doing a great job so far, so not thinking about the outcome, but more with the process.”
Meanwhile, Arkansas climbed up six spots up the leaderboard with an 8-under (280) effort. The round marked the Razorbacks' lowest score ever at an ɬַ women’s golf championship. Sophomore Maria José Marin also made history by shooting an individual weekend best 7-under (65), a personal and program low at the ɬַ championships, on a clean scorecard to take the individual overall lead by one stroke. Marin has now shot par or better in all seven career rounds she’s played at La Costa.
“Having the lowest round by a Razorback in the ɬַ Championship means a lot and it proves that my game is at its top,” said José Marin. “I know that golf can sometimes be frustrating and things don’t go your way, but you have to keep your head down and keep fighting and that’s what I’ve been doing this entire year. I’m super happy.”
Northwestern holds the second spot on the team leaderboard for the second day in a row. Shooting an 8-under (280) Sunday, the Wildcats also claimed their all-time lowest round in ɬַ women’s golf championship history. One of two golfers to hole an eagle Sunday for Northwestern, Lauren Nguyen shot a 5-under (67), including four birdies on the back nine.
“I think the thing about this course is that you really have to take every hole on its own,” said Nguyen. “Stay in the present. You can't think too far ahead. I feel like just staying in the present…was really helpful to me. I hit good shots, made putts when I had to, I think that played a big role.”
The other 13 teams joining Stanford and Northwestern for the fourth and final round of stroke play include Oregon, Southern California, Florida State, Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina, Arizona State, Virginia, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, LSU, UCLA and Mississippi State. The 15 schools advancing to Monday will be joined by the low nine individuals on non-advancing teams. Teams competing on Monday will be vying for one of the eight match-play seed positions. The team national champion will be determined by a match-play format that will consist of quarterfinals and semifinals conducted on Tuesday, May 20, followed by the finals on Wednesday, May 21.
The scoring average for today’s third round was 74.32. By comparison, Friday’s scoring average was 74.69 and Saturday’s scoring average was 74.94.
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The fourth round of the championship will tee off on Monday, May 19 at 10:30 a.m. PST at La Costa. Golf Channel coverage of the championship begins Monday, with the final round of stroke play and the crowning of the individual champion broadcast live beginning at 6 p.m. EST.
ɬַ GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS DIGITAL MEDIA WORKROOM
Results, photos, tee sheets, team media guides, team notes, flip cards, etc. are available for download from the ɬַ Golf Championships Digital Media Workroom.
See attached:
Quotes & Notes
Fourth-Round Pairings
