PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - The No. 25 ranked Colorado State University Pueblo women's golf team battled through challenging conditions on day one of the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championships at PGA National, as severe weather halted play midway through the opening round Tuesday afternoon in South Florida.
The ThunderWolves, one of 18 teams competing at the national championship, teed off at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time before rain and storms swept through Palm Beach Gardens, forcing tournament officials to suspend play for the remainder of the day.
Despite the delay, CSU Pueblo was able to get through the front nine with all five golfers, while several players also began their back nine before weather stopped play.
Freshman standout Thale Victoria Estensen led the way for the ThunderWolves during the unfinished opening round, sitting at even par through 10 holes. Senior captain Freya Constable carded a 2-over-par 38 through her opening nine holes before play was suspended, while Olivia Heard sat at 4-over through 10 holes.
Lisa Ekberg completed 10 holes at 8-over-par as the ThunderWolves worked through difficult and wet playing conditions at one of the premier golf venues in the country.
CSU Pueblo also had to make a late lineup adjustment before the opening round after Yale Lee fell ill Monday night. Sinead Ni Cheilleachair stepped into the lineup as the ThunderWolves' fifth golfer for round one.
Only three teams in the 18-team field were able to complete their opening rounds before weather suspended play. At the time play was halted, University of Texas at Tyler held the clubhouse lead at 1-over-par, though the Patriots had completed just six holes of their round.
The field will resume the opening round Wednesday morning before beginning round two at PGA National as the ThunderWolves continue their first appearance at the NCAA Division II National Championships in program history.
