Tartans in First Following Opening Round of NCAA Championship

(PALM DESERT, Calif.) - The Carnegie Mellon University women's golf team opened play in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Championship on Tuesday at Desert Willow Golf Club in Palm Desert, California. The Tartans carded a team score of three-over par 291 and are currently in the lead after playing the Mountain View Course.

Inside the Championships:
Tournament Standing: 1st of 34 Teams
Tournament Team Leader(s): Carnegie Mellon (+3)
Tournament Individual Leader(s): Toral Bhatt, Washington and Lee (-3)
Location: Desert Willow Golf Club | Palm Desert, Calif. – Firecliff and Mount View
Par/Yardage: 72/5,820 and 72/5,873

How it Happened:

• Freshman Alyssa Lim led the Tartans in the opening round with a two-under par 70 and is currently tied for second individually in a field of 176 golfers.
• Sophomore Emma Wong is tied for fifth individually after carding a one-under par 71.
• Sophomore Cecilia Jia entered the clubhouse on Tuesday with a two-over par 74.
• Junior Nikita Jadhav finished play with a four-over par 76.
• Sophomore Samantha Wang carded a 77 over the first 18 holes.
• The Tartans hold a one stroke lead with Washington and Lee carding a four-over par team score. 

Up Next:

• Second round play is set for Wednesday with the Tartans playing the Firecliff Course and teeing off at 7:50 a.m. PT. Following Wednesday's round, the field will be pared to 15 teams and the top six individuals. The final two days of action will take place on the Firecliff Course.