GOLF / NCAA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS : UCLA’s Erb Shares Lead With First-Round 71

COLUMBUS, Ohio — UCLA’s Christy Erb and Renee Heiken of Illinois share the individual lead, and South Florida is atop the team standings after Wednesday’s first round of the NCAA Women’s Golf Championships.

Erb, a sophomore, birdied the sixth hole and parred everything else in posting a one-under-par 71 at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course.

Heiken, also a sophomore, had a bogey on the second hole but strung together three consecutive birdies to make the turn at two-under 34. She followed with a one-over 37.

The 72-hole tournament continues through Saturday on the 6,180-yard, par-72 layout.

One shot back at 72 were Mary Dunne of Miami (Fla.) and Kelly Robbins of Tulsa. Dunne, like Heiken an individual qualifier, needed only 28 putts. Seven times she chipped close and one-putted for par.

Tied at one-over 73 and two shots off the lead were Kelly Tilghman of Duke, Tracy Hanson of San Jose State and Susan Veasey of South Florida.

Debbi Koyama of UCLA had a 74.

South Florida, seeded seventh among the 17 teams, totaled 298 strokes--placing three players among the top 17.

Top-ranked San Jose State was two shots back at 300, followed by UCLA with 301 and Lamar at 305.

Arizona, Duke and Georgia were tied at 306.