BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – Defending champion Tulsa got its team title defense off to a solid start on day one of the 2026 American Conference Women’s Golf Championship on Monday at Southern Hills Plantation Club.

The Golden Hurricane fired a team score of 4-under 284 to take a four-stroke lead following the opening 18 holes. UTSA was the only other team to shoot par or better in the first round, checking in with an even par score of 288 for second place.

The average score on the first day of play at Southern Hills Plantation Club was 75.31 over the 55 completed rounds. A total of 10 of the 55 players in round one finished at par or better, including six under par showings. Tulsa’s Romaine Masserey and UTSA’s Victoria Schuldt recorded the only eagles in the opening round, as both players rolled in a three at the par-5, 490-yard 12th hole.

Tulsa registered three under par rounds as part of its 4-under 284 team total in round one. Jennifer Roller and Samantha Olson were tied for second individually with matching 3-under-par 69s, while defending tournament medalist Masserey opened her championship defense with a 2-under 70 to share fourth place.

UTSA saw three players finish at par or better in its opening round of 288, led by Lauren Rios who matched Masserey with a 2-under-par 70. Both Schuldt and Daniela Abonce were tied for seventh place after carding rounds of even par 72.

South Florida and East Carolina were each tied for third place at 5-over-par 293. Individual tournament leader Cherry Marley from USF rolled in seven birdies on day one, including five in a six-hole stretch on an outward 4-under 32, to post a 4-under-par 68 and a one-stroke lead after the opening round.

Teams will resume the second round of the 2026 American Women’s Golf Championship on Tuesday with tee times expected to begin at 8 a.m. (ET).