Stanford Women's Golf Alumni Making Early Moves at LPGA Founders Cup

MENLO PARK, Ca. — When I asked 2019 Stanford Golf alum Andrea Lee which she preferred between her university's home course or Sharon Heights—it was a no hesitation response in saying The Cardinal's track. "It [Sharon Heights] is just so hard to walk," said the 6-year LPGA vet. "I was just lugging my golf cart up these mountains."

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Hard walk aside, Lee was able to fire an opening round, 3-under 69 at this week's Founders Cup, and was joined by her fellow Stanford women's golf alum Aline Krauter, Albane Valenzuela, and Rose Zhang who all shot under par during the first round.

Zhang, a former champion of this event, made headlines ahead of the tournament as she wrapped up her final essay of her college career, officially closing the chapter of her university studies. "Honestly I think this was probably one of the most important achievements for my personal development as a person," she said in her Tuesday presser.

"I feel like there is obviously a lot of noise about whether it was a good decision or not. Personally, I think when I turned pro end of sophomore year I've always envisioned wanting to finish, regardless of how difficult it would be, regardless of how much my body would break down or feasibility-wise how that would work. Never really gave it a second thought."

Her final assignment was a 10-page paper on beer brewing that ended up being more like a 15-pager once she added references and images. She was able to get it done and then go out and shoot a solid 1-under round of 71 that included just one bogey and two birdies.

There were plenty of local crowds cheering on the Stanford players as Sharon Heights sits just a mile west of the campus. Aline Krauter and Albane Valenzuela carded opening rounds of 70 and 71, respectively, and sit inside the projected cut line.

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Setting the tone for the field is veteran player Hyo Joo Kim, who ended her first 18 with a birdie-eagle finish.

"Today, I think I went bogey free today, no bogey right? I didn’t check, sorry. I am just so satisfied I had no bogeys. I had some mistakes in the beginning, but I was able to save them. I ended with an eagle, so I ended pretty happily."

The second round is getting underway, see tee times and pairings below.

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