NUEVO VALLARTA, Mexico - Freshman Vicky Tsai posted a career-best 3-under 69 to lead Idaho women's golf in the first round of the Hawkeye-El Tigre Invitational. Tsai is tied for second, one shot off the lead, and the Vandals sit in third place with two rounds remaining.

"Today was a breakthrough round for Vicky," said head coach Lisa Johnson. "She has a lower trajectory ball flight that serves her well in the wind. Four birdies and just one bogey were a result of good golf course management and putting. It was an impressive display of golf on a course with water on 14 holes."

Tsai opened her round with a birdie and never looked back. Her lone bogey of the day came on her 10th hole and brought her back to 1-under. After three straight pars, consecutive birdies sent her to 3-under, which she maintained through the final three holes. It is Tsai's first collegiate round in the 60s.

Sophie Hausmann joins Tsai under par and in the top 10 through 18 holes. Hausmann is tied for sixth at 1-under after a round that included four birdies and an eagle. Her eagle came on the par-five 14th, which sophomore Valeria Patino also eagled. Patino is tied for 26th at 4-over.

Idaho is 10-over as a team, combining for a 298. Michelle Kim and Laura Gerner each recorded a 10-over 82 in the fourth scoring position. The Vandals are three strokes clear of Kennesaw State in fourth place.

"As a team we are gaining momentum as we near the halfway point of the spring," Johnson said. "I'm happy with our focus, effort and resilience in our first windy event of the semester. We played the par threes and par fives well, so we look to improve our par four scoring tomorrow."

The second round tees off Friday, at noon local time/11 a.m. PT. Live scoring is available at GolfStatResults.com.

Team Results
3.            Idaho                            298 (10-over)

Individual Results
T-2.        Vicky Tsai                      69 (3-under)
T-6.        Sophie Hausmann         71 (1-under)
T-26.      Valeria Patino                76 (4-over)
T-56.      Michelle Kim                  82 (10-over)
T-56.      Laura Gerner                 82 (10-over)