BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. -- Following Monday's opening round, Furman (+1) holds a three-stroke lead at the 2026 Southern Conference Women's Golf Championship, which is being held this week at the par-72, 6,150 yard Columbia Country Club in Blythewood, S.C.

The Paladins placed all four counting scorers among the top seven in the first round, including junior Audrey Ryu (-2), a native of Dublin, Ohio, who fired a two-under 70 to pace Furman.  She birdied No. 3 and No. 6 on the front to turn at 1-under then added an additional birdie on No. 18 to finish out the round.  Ryu sits just one stroke behind leader Mackenzie Cooper (-3) of Chattanooga, who carded a 69 on Monday.

Freshman Ava Hanneman (E) shot even par with birdies on No. 12 and No. 18 to tie for third, while sophomore Eva Ringwald (+1) is tied for fifth after posting a 73 with three birdies in four holes from No. 9 through No. 12.  Freshman Olivia Hasselbach (+2) carded a 74 with three birdies to tie for seventh, and sophomore Jenna Madden (+4) enters Tuesday's second round tie for 14th after shooting a 76 with birdies on No. 11 and No. 17 in the first round.

Furman, which is seeking its 22nd SoCon title, leads Chattanooga (+4) by three shots, while UNC Greensboro (+11) sits in third place.  East Tennessee State (+17) and Samford (+18) complete the top five.

The 54-hole tournament continues on Tuesday with teams teeing off of No. 1 and No. 10 beginning at 9 a.m.  Furman will tee off on No. 1 beginning at 9:50  a.m. and will play in a group with Chattanooga and UNC Greensboro.

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 29, at 5 p.m.

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1 Furman 289 +1 
T2 Audrey Ryu 70 -2
T3 Ava Hanneman 72 E
T5 Eva Ringwald 73 +1
T7 Olivia Hasselbach 74 +2
T14 Jenna Madden 76 +4