HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Anna Morgan (-2) fired a 2-under 70 to pace the Furman (+9) women's golf team to a four-stroke lead Sunday in the opening day of the 2023 Southern Conference Women's Golf Championship at the par-72, 6,036 yard Moss Creek Golf Club's South Course in Hilton Head Island, S.C.

A senior from Spartanburg, S.C., Morgan birdied No. 6 and turned at even par.  She birdied two out of three holes from No. 14 through No. 16 to take a 1-stroke lead over Madison Isaacson (-1) of Western Carolina, who posted a 71 on day one.

The Paladins have four players among the top 15, including freshman Chloe Johnson (+1), who birdied No. 2 and No. 5 to turn at 1-under and recorded a 73 to tie for third entering Monday's second round.

Junior Caroline Crumrine (+4) is tied for tenth after posting a 76 with three birdies, including consecutive birdies on No. 11 and No. 12, while freshman Liza Lapeyre (+6) concluded round one tied for 15th with a 78.  She notched birdies on No. 11 and No. 14.  

Freshman Faith Johnson (+9) was 1-over on the back nine with a birdie on No. 15 to finish the day with an 81 and tie for 30th. 

Furman, which is seeking its 20th SoCon title, was 2-over on the back nine on Sunday.  The Paladins hold a four-stroke lead over Western Carolina (+13), while East Tennessee State (+19) and Mercer (+19) are tied for third.

The 54-hole tournament continues on Monday with teams teeing off of No. 1 beginning at 8:30 a.m.  Furman will tee off beginning at 10:10 a.m. and will play in a group with Western Carolina and ETSU.

The winner of the SoCon Championship will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, while the individual champion will also earn automatic regional qualification.  The NCAA field will be announced live on the Golf Channel on Wed., April 26, at 1 p.m.

1 Furman 297 +9

1 Anna Morgan (1) 70 -2

T3 Chloe Johnson (2) 73 +1

T10 Caroline Crumrine (4) 76 +4

T15 Liza Lapeyre (5) 78 +6

T30 Faith Johnson (3) 81 +9