Maddison Hinson-Tolchard’s Record-Setting Round 1 Sets Cowgirls Up in 2023 NCAA Championship

The Cowgirls were in control for most of the first round of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship, and their star led the way.

Maddison Hinson-Tolchard tapped in a five-foot putt on the 18th hole at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona on Friday. Her 6-under 66 set a new program record for a round at the NCAA Championship.

As a team, the Cowgirls made their own history, turning in an 8-under 280, also the lowest round in an NCAA Championship. OSU held a four-stroke lead over the field when they finished on Friday, but a late surge by Wake Forest saw OSU drop to second, behind one stroke.

Rina Tatematsu actually held the solo lead for a good chunk of the day. She finished with a 68 including six birdies. She birdied on three straight and four of five over the first six holes.

But Hinson-Tolchard remained steady, sinking a couple of late putts to make history.

A fitting end to a historic first day in Scottsdale 🐤#GolfSchool l #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/tE5IPs9BTh

— OSU Cowgirl Golf (@OSUcowgirlgolf) May 19, 2023

This is the third straight year that the men’s and women’s NCAA Championship has been played at Grayhawk and the third straight year the Cowgirls have been there to compete. When Hinson-Tolchard and Tatematsu were both freshmen two years ago, the Cowgirls came up short in matchplay to Ole Miss, though Hinson-Tolchoard won her match.

A year later, the Cowgirls finished 19th of 24 teams. But this year, there’s plenty of room for optimism as the Big 12 Champs, led by the conference solo champ, start out strong.

“It was a bummer not making it to match play last year,” Hinson-Tolchard told Golfweek. “It was a huge motivation to get back. We want that feeling again.”