SMU Women’s Golf Charges Into NCAA Contention

SMU women’s golf isn’t just hanging around at the NCAA Championship. The Mustangs are pushing into the danger zone.

After two rounds at Omni La Costa Resort, SMU climbed into a tie for sixth place at 1-over, putting itself in strong position before Sunday’s first cut.

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The top 15 teams advance after round three, and the Mustangs are currently well inside that line.

That matters, because this tournament turns ruthless fast. Thirty teams become 15 on Sunday. Then only eight survive Monday and move into match play.

Mackenzie Lee led the charge Saturday with a 2-under 70, moving to 2-under overall and into a tie for 16th individually. It was the 91st round of par or better in her SMU career, adding to a program record that keeps getting more ridiculous.

She also lowered her career scoring average to 71.47, another school-best mark.

That’s elite stuff at the perfect time.

SMU’s depth has been just as important. Every Mustang has posted both rounds at 74 or better, giving the team a level of consistency that travels well in championship golf.

Kirra St-Laurent sits at even par after a second-round 73 and is tied for 27th. Celine Chen is right behind at 1-over after matching that 73 on Saturday. Grace Jin and Emily Odwin are both tied for 64th at 3-over, with Jin flashing serious fire by shooting 33 on her opening nine.

Stanford leads the field at 12-under, followed by Southern California at 9-under and Oklahoma State at 7-under.

Iowa State and Arkansas are tied for fourth at even par, just one shot ahead of SMU and Duke.

Texas is lurking at 2-over, while Tennessee, Texas A&M and Florida State currently sit on the cut line at 10-over.

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Now the assignment is simple.

SMU doesn’t need to chase recklessly Sunday. It needs to stay sharp, avoid big mistakes and keep stacking steady rounds.

The Mustangs are in the fight. Now they have to survive the cut and make Monday matter.

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