The Ohio State women's golf team is off to a blazing start at the NCAA Ann Arbor Regional, finishing the first round tied for the lead alongside defending national champion Northwestern. Entering as the No. 5 seed, the Buckeyes wasted no time proving they belong at the top, leading from the very first hole.

Starting on the back nine, Ohio State caught fire immediately. Sophomore Nellie Ong ignited the charge with three consecutive birdies, and every single Buckeye finished the opening nine under par. That blistering pace pushed the team to a commanding -8, giving them a significant early cushion. The front nine proved more challenging, however, as a few late bogeys tightened the race. Still, Ohio State closed at -5, locking in a tie with the powerhouse Wildcats.

This strong start is especially impressive given the rankings: Ohio State sits at No. 29 nationally, while Northwestern is No. 32. The only other team to break par in the first round was USC, the No. 2 overall seed. Meanwhile, No. 10 Duke (+2) and No. 14 UCF (+3) currently hold the remaining spots to advance to the NCAA Championships. With No. 48 Texas Tech at +4, the Buckeyes enjoy a comfortable nine-stroke buffer over the cut line—but with two rounds left, nothing is guaranteed.

Last season, Ohio State made it to the NCAA Championships, finishing 24th out of 30 teams. This year's squad appears deeper and more seasoned, with a mix of talent and experience that could carry them much further. If Round 1 is any indication, the Buckeyes are ready to make some noise.