First Win of the Season – Stanford Cardinal

SEASIDE, Calif. — Top-ranked Stanford women’s golf began the 2024-25 season with a bang this week. First, the Cardinal defeated California at the annual Big Match. On Tuesday, it wrapped up a convincing win at The Molly Invitational, claiming its first tournament win of the new year.

Going back to last season, Stanford has now won four-straight tournaments, the longest streak for the program since it won six consecutive tournaments during the 2022 calendar year (postseason 2022 through the start of the 2022-23 season).

While she didn’t win outright, Paula Martin Sampedro claimed a share of first for the first time in her collegiate career. She needed quite the finish to get there, but she thrived under the pressure. Trailing Riana Mission of San Francisco by two strokes with two to play, Martin Sampedro birdied on both 17 and 18 to earn a share of the lead. It capped off a 1-under 71 for the sophomore, and a 7-under showing overall in the tournament.

Climbing one spot into the top-five was Meja Örtengren, who had the second-best round of the day by a Card. She posted a 2-under 70 in the final round and was nearly clean all day long. Örtengren recorded three birdies and just one bogey, which came on the third hole, playing her final 15 rounds at par or better. Her first collegiate tournament finishes with her at 3-under.

Jumping ten spots in the final round was Andrea Revuelta, moving into a tie for eighth place with teammate Nora Sundberg. Revuelta shot the third lowest round of the day by any golfer with a 4-under 68, racking up an impressive seven birdies during her round. Five of those came on the back nine, including a stretch of three-straight birdies on 17, 18, and 1. Sundberg joined her in a tie for eighth, with both finishing even through three rounds. Sundberg shot a 2-under 70 on Tuesday, with just one bogey and two birdies.

Kelly Xu capped off a strong finish by tying for 15^th overall, finishing at even-par and ending her tournament two strokes over par. After finishing three-over through one round, Xu rebounded nicely, playing at 1-under over her final 36 holes.

Leigh Chien and Caroline Sturdza competed individually for Stanford. Chien was just one stroke back of Xu and finished in a tie for 18^th at three-over for the tournament, shooting a 73 in all three rounds. Sturdza had her best round in the second round, where she was 2-over with a 74.

Scores improved across the board on Tuesday, with second place California posting the…