Chambana Sun

The Fighting Illini women's golf team has positioned itself in a tie for first place following the initial round of the 2025 Big Ten Women's Golf Championship. The event is being hosted at Bulle Rock Golf Course in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

Both the University of Illinois, representing the orange and blue, and Oregon, ranked fifth nationally, completed the first round at 2-under par, totaling 286. Going into the second round, four players from Illinois are among the top ten competitors.

Victoria Zheng showcased a strong performance, leading Illinois with a first-round score of 70, finishing the day tied for second place. She had a bogey-free front nine and recorded an eagle on the 9th hole, concluding the front at 3-under par. Zheng was the only golfer in the first round to achieve an eagle. Her back nine included a score of 37, with one birdie.

Three Illini golfers, Lexanne Halama, Yurang Li, and Anna Ritter, each scored an even-par 72, placing them tied for 10th. Halama improved with a back nine score of 35, including three birdies. Li achieved 16 pars, equaling the most in the field, and maintained a steady 36 through both the front and back. Ritter rebounded from a front nine of 39 to achieve a 33 on the back, matched with three birdies.

Brielle Mapanao rounds out Illinois's participants, tied for 47th, posting a 76 on her first round.

The team resumes play tomorrow, starting off from the first tee at 9:10 a.m. Central Time.