June 18, 2012

Neshanic Station, NJ - University of Tulsa senior-to-be Kristina Merkle is in a third-place tie after the opening round of the 36th Annual U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links on Monday. Merkle carded a three-under par 69 at the par-72 Neshanic Valley Golf Course and is just one stroke behind first place.

The 20-year-old Merkle is tied with Brittany Altomare of Shrewsbury, Mass. And Victoria Fallgren from Lakewood, Calif. 16-year-old Lakarebar Abe of Angleton, Texas and 15-year-old Cindy Ha of Demarest, NJ, are tied for first place with four-under par scores.

Merkle's Tulsa teammate Kayla Riede shot a score of six-over par 78 and is in 108th place.

After the conclusion of stroke-play qualifying on Tuesday, the low 64 scorers advance to match play. Matches begin on Wednesday and the championship concludes with a 36-hole final on Saturday.

The U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links is one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association. Ten are strictly for amateurs.