KA'ANAPALI, Maui – University of Hawai'i junior Wendy Song fired a career-low 4-under 68 in the first round of the 39^th Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, Monday at the Royal Kā'anapali Golf Course. The Taiwan native is tied atop the leaderboard after her bogey-free round.
 
Song carded four birdies on the day, including three during a four-hole stretch on the front nine. She is tied with four other golfers including the 64^th-ranked golfer BYU's Maria Jose Barragan. Song is competing as an individual which means her score did not count toward UH's team score.
 
Hawai'i's top finisher was Kellie Yamane, who shot 1-over 73 and sits in a tie for 38^th place. Emiko Sverduk was two strokes behind her at 3-over 75 and a tie for 61^st.
 
As a team, the Rainbow Wahine are in 17^th place at 302. Mercer leads the team standings at 6-under 282. No. 49 Oregon State is one shot back at 283 followed by Washington (285), Sacramento State (286), and Denver (286).
 
Song bested her previous low of 69 set at the 2023 Kapolei Invitational. Her 68 was the lowest round by a Rainbow Wahine since Emiko Sverduk's 65 at the 2023 Pat Harbottle Invitational.
 
Also among UH's contingent are Sofina Firouzi (76, t-70^th), Varnika S. Achanta (78, t-85^th), and Maline Kraus (78, t-85^th). Mia Hirashima is competing as an individual and finished with a 78 and is tied for 85^th place.
 
The tournament's second round is scheduled for Tuesday with an 8:00 a.m., shotgun start.
 
17. Hawai'i 302 (+14)
T-38. Kellie Yamane 73 (+1)
T-61. Emiko Sverduk 75 (+3)
T-70. Sofina Firouzi 76 (+4)
T-85. Varnika S. Achanta 78 (+6)
T-85. Maline Kraus 78 (+6)