NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. – Three Sun Devils are firmly in contention to win a LPGA major as the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship wrapped up earlier today at Aronimink Golf Club.
Carlota Ciganda (2009-11) and Linnea Strom (2016-17) find themselves in the Top-5 after 18 holes, currently tied with each other for third. Anna Nordqvist (2007-09) is right on their heels, as she also earned a spot in the Top-10 (T-9th).
The success of Sun Devil Women's Golf on the LPGA Tour continued today. Arizona State has a heavy presence at the third LPGA major event of the season. Ciganda and Strom each shot a 68 (-2), sitting just one stroke off the lead. Nordqvist is not far behind thanks to a 69 (-1), putting her only two strokes back. Former LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year Azahara Munoz (2006-09) is also competing at the tournament and is five strokes out of the Top-10 in a crowded leaderboard.
Sun Devils have a tradition of success at this prestigious event, which started back in 1955. It is one of five majors on the LPGA Tour, with a win being a significant boost to any resume. That was the case back in 2009 at Bulle Rock Golf Course. Fresh off an All-American career at Arizona State, Anna Nordqvist immediately established herself as a contender on the tour. She won the LPGA Championship by four strokes as a 22-year old rookie, a victory that has spring-boarded a long and successful professional career.
Nordqvist is not the only Sun Devil with a history at this tournament. Azahara Munoz's best finish at any LPGA major came at the 2014 LPGA Championship, where she finished tied for fourth with her former Sun Devil teammate Nordqvist. Carlota Ciganda is well on her way to improving her previous best finish at this event, which was a tie for 13th in 2014.
All four Sun Devils have afternoon local tee-times tomorrow, beginning their second rounds between 9:34-10:23 am in Arizona. Here is a detailed look at how each Sun Devil begins their round:
SUN DEVIL SECOND ROUND TEE-TIMES
Each of the four rounds of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel or NBC. Coverage tomorrow starts at 10 am (PST) on Golf Channel. The Third and Fourth round broadcasts begin on Golf Channel before moving to a national audience on NBC for the closing holes. Here is a breakdown of NBC Sports' coverage of the LPGA major:
TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Not only are Sun Devils from previous years having success in the professional ranks, but the program they called home is in better shape than ever. Good news, Sun Devil fans! Every member of the No. 3-ranked 2019-20 team returns to Tempe. With highly-touted freshmen Ashley Menne and Breyana Matthews added to the fold, the Sun Devils will boast one of the most talented and deep rosters in the country. Under the direction of three-time National Champion Missy Farr-Kaye and newly-promoted Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill, the team will receive the proper coaching and guidance that it takes to succeed at the highest level.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).
Carlota Ciganda (2009-11) and Linnea Strom (2016-17) find themselves in the Top-5 after 18 holes, currently tied with each other for third. Anna Nordqvist (2007-09) is right on their heels, as she also earned a spot in the Top-10 (T-9th).
The success of Sun Devil Women's Golf on the LPGA Tour continued today. Arizona State has a heavy presence at the third LPGA major event of the season. Ciganda and Strom each shot a 68 (-2), sitting just one stroke off the lead. Nordqvist is not far behind thanks to a 69 (-1), putting her only two strokes back. Former LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year Azahara Munoz (2006-09) is also competing at the tournament and is five strokes out of the Top-10 in a crowded leaderboard.
Sun Devils have a tradition of success at this prestigious event, which started back in 1955. It is one of five majors on the LPGA Tour, with a win being a significant boost to any resume. That was the case back in 2009 at Bulle Rock Golf Course. Fresh off an All-American career at Arizona State, Anna Nordqvist immediately established herself as a contender on the tour. She won the LPGA Championship by four strokes as a 22-year old rookie, a victory that has spring-boarded a long and successful professional career.
Nordqvist is not the only Sun Devil with a history at this tournament. Azahara Munoz's best finish at any LPGA major came at the 2014 LPGA Championship, where she finished tied for fourth with her former Sun Devil teammate Nordqvist. Carlota Ciganda is well on her way to improving her previous best finish at this event, which was a tie for 13th in 2014.
All four Sun Devils have afternoon local tee-times tomorrow, beginning their second rounds between 9:34-10:23 am in Arizona. Here is a detailed look at how each Sun Devil begins their round:
SUN DEVIL SECOND ROUND TEE-TIMES
| HOLE | NAME | TIME (PST) |
| 10 | Carlota Ciganda | 9:34 AM |
| 1 | Anna Nordqvist | 10:01 AM |
| 10 | Azahara Munoz | 10:07 AM |
| 1 | Linnea Strom | 10:23 AM |
Each of the four rounds of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship will be broadcast live on Golf Channel or NBC. Coverage tomorrow starts at 10 am (PST) on Golf Channel. The Third and Fourth round broadcasts begin on Golf Channel before moving to a national audience on NBC for the closing holes. Here is a breakdown of NBC Sports' coverage of the LPGA major:
TELEVISION BROADCAST SCHEDULE
| Friday, Oct. 9 | Second Round | GOLF CHANNEL: 10 AM-2 PM (PST) |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | Third Round | GOLF CHANNEL: 8-9 AM (PST) NBC: 9 AM-12 PM |
| Sunday, Oct. 11 | Final Round | GOLF CHANNEL: 7-9 AM (PST) NBC: 9-11 AM |
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Not only are Sun Devils from previous years having success in the professional ranks, but the program they called home is in better shape than ever. Good news, Sun Devil fans! Every member of the No. 3-ranked 2019-20 team returns to Tempe. With highly-touted freshmen Ashley Menne and Breyana Matthews added to the fold, the Sun Devils will boast one of the most talented and deep rosters in the country. Under the direction of three-time National Champion Missy Farr-Kaye and newly-promoted Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill, the team will receive the proper coaching and guidance that it takes to succeed at the highest level.
HOW TO FOLLOW
For the latest updates and information on the Sun Devil Women's Golf program, follow our Twitter/Instagram accounts (@SunDevilWGolf), like our Facebook page (facebook.com/sundevilwgolf/), and visit our website (thesundevils.com).