COLUMBUS, Ohio – A historic season for Harvard women's golf first-year Vanessa Zhang has come to a close after she finished in a 14th-place tie with a score of 218 [+2] at the NCAA Regional Round in Columbus, Ohio. The rookie golfer was in the mix until the final holes on Wednesday as she finished just three shots back of the individual leader in the tournament. Zhang's final placement was the second-best for a Harvard women's golfer at the Regional round in program history, adding yet another footnote in her already excellent campaign.

How it Happened

After shattering the Ivy League Women's Golf Championship scoring record, Zhang earned a spot in the NCAA Regional Tournament, where she was picked to compete in the field at the Columbus Regional. Hosted by Ohio State, the tournament featured 12 teams and six individual medalists from all over the country. Competition was held at the OSU Golf Club – Scarlet Course, which was set up for a par 72 at 6,358 yards. The top five teams and the top individual performer - outside the golfers from the five qualifying teams – at the regional would move on to compete in the NCAA Championship Tournament in two weeks.
 
Zhang was a steady scorer in the first round of competition on Monday, posting an even-par round of 72 in an outing that featured three birdies. After posting a score of 38 on the front nine holes, Zhang rallied to post a 34 on the last nine to get back to even-par. The Vancouver, Canada, native was tied for 15^th place after day one with her score of even-par and was just two shots back of the top individual performer, keeping her in the mix entering second-day action.
 
The first-year continued her steady play on Tuesday, posting nine-hole scores of 36 and 36 to post another round of even par. Zhang carded four birdies in the second round of play to continue her string of steady results and keep her position near the top of the leaderboard, heading into the final round. Zhang would sit in seventh place and just one stroke back of the top individual performer.
 
After a shaky start on day three, Zhang bounced back, finding her rhythm on the back half of the front nine. After going three-over-par through six holes, Zhang posted two birdies on the final three holes to put herself back in contention for the individual crown. After two more birdies in the first six holes on the back nine, she was just one stroke back of the lead and one-under-par on the day. At the end of the round, Zhang found herself three shots back of the lead after suffering a few tough scores on the final holes.
 
When the final scores were tallied, Zhang tied for 14^th place with a tournament score of 218 [+2].

Harvard Highlights

• Zhang posted the fourth-best scoring average on par 4s, with a 3.97 and -1 overall.
• The first-year posted the sixth-most birdies in the field with 11.
• Her T-14 finish was the second-best placement by a Harvard women's golfer in the regional round.