HOUSTON, Texas – Missouri Western’s Shi Qing Ong finished the first round of the 2018 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championships in the middle of the pack.

Shi Qing’s 5-over, 77 left her in an 11-way tie for 38th place. The Griffon junior was eight strokes behind the leaders with three rounds to play. She recorded one birdie on the day, on the 543-yard, par-5 No. 16. There were a total of 117 birdies and just one eagle recorded among 72 competitors on day one at Bay Oaks Country Club.

Just 11 competitors turned in under-par scores in round one, led by three at 3-under. Four others were even through the first 18 holes. Tilda Larson (Barry), Casey Wild (Tarleton State) and Kiira Riihijarvi (Tampa) led the field after day one. Indianapolis took the team lead after one round with a 286.

Shi Qing is competing in her second NCAA Division II National Championship after the Griffons qualified as a team in 2016. Round two begins Thursday morning.

— MWSU Athletics —