MAYETTA, Kan. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf sits in third place after the opening round of the MIAA Women’s Golf Championships at Firekeeper Golf Course Monday. Both Shi Qing Ong and Katie Irvin are positioned inside the top-10 to lead the Griffons after the first round.

The MIAA Women’s Golf Championships features three rounds spread across three-consecutive days. Missouri Western put together a solid team performance to open the tournament, finishing with a combined score of 313. The Griffons trail Central Missouri by nine strokes for second place. Northeastern State is the current leader after scoring a 300 on Monday.

Near the top of the individual leaderboard was Shi Qing Ong in a tie for fourth. The 2018-19 MIAA Women’s Golfer of the Year finished the first 18 holes of the tournament with a 74 (+2). Ong led the field of 49 golfers with five birdies in the round. She is currently three strokes back of Central Missouri’s Rosie Klausner for the top spot heading into the second round.

Katie Irvin played one of the best single rounds of her season, finishing Monday with a score of 78 (+6) to land inside the top-10 in a tie for ninth. Her consistent first round included two birdies and 10 pars. She also had one of the top scores on par-four scoring, going two-over on those holes.

Anna Bech is currently in a tie for 16th after her 80 (+8) in the first round. Bech was second on the team with three birdies.

Chong Yong and Jenna Kosmatka are both tied for 20th after first-round scores of 81 (+9). Kosmatka led the team with 11 pars on Monday.

— MWSU Athletics —