Stanford’s white-hot season went to another level at the Gunrock Invitational when the Cardinal set the NCAA scoring record for 54 holes. Their 50-under 814 total beat LSU’s previous record of 46 under and shattered Stanford’s previous school-best by 22 strokes.
The Cardinal beat Washington by 35 strokes, the largest margin of victory in program history, at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento.
“I don’t even have words for this,” said head coach Anne Walker. “It’s so exciting and this team deserves it. We have so many great players top to bottom so to come here and set this record, I’m excited for them, excited for Del Paso the course. I don’t have great words for it but I’m really proud of them. It feels great to bounce back after San Diego State.”
Sophomore Rachel Heck captured her eighth title. Andrea Lee owns the Stanford career record of nine victories. Heck’s 18-under total also set a school record. The NCAA record of 19 under was set by Ohio State’s Jaclyn Lee in 2018.
Freshman Rose Zhang, the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, finished runner-up to Heck at 14 under, while sophomore Sadie Englemann finished a career-best fourth.
Stanford has now won five titles in six team events this season. Zhang has three individual victories, and Heck has now claimed two in a row.
“It’s great to see the Rachel Heck that we had here last spring,” said Walker. “She’s so happy. She’s hitting every shot very loose and confident and relaxed. She’s having a great time with the game. To see her get her eighth win today, and I know there’s plenty more ahead, I’m excited to be part of this.”
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