The first day of the Conference USA Championships have concluded at the Slammer & Squire Course at World Golf Village with Western Kentucky’s women’s golf in fourth place following a 3-over par 291 on Monday in St. Augustine, Florida.

The top five teams are separated by just five total shots, with Jacksonville State owning the lead after 18 holes at 1-under 287.

The eight teams are starting on hole No. 18 this week, as hole No. 1 at the course was deemed unplayable during Sunday’s practice round. They are then playing holes 2-18, as normal, so teams will play hole No. 18 six times throughout the week.

Senior Catie Craig fired a 2-under 70 to lead WKU on Monday, followed by Sydney Hackett’s 1-under 71. Both golfers sit in the top six. Craig is just one shot back of a three-way tie for first at 3-under.

WKU played “No. 1” (really, No. 18) at 5-over to start the day, but then four golfers rebounded with birdies on No. 2. Craig was 2-over through six holes on Monday, but poured in four birdies over the last 12 holes to finish the day 2-under. Hackett was 2-under on the front and finished the day with four total birdies.

Craig and Hackett played the par 3s at 2-under, tied with each other for best in the field. Averi Cline was 1-under and tied for third on the par 3s.

Julia Zigrossi played the par 5s at 2-under, tied for third best in the field.

Craig’s five birdies was tied for second in the field. WKU played the par 3s at 5-under, best in the field. The Lady Tops had 16 birdies, second-most in the field on Monday.

WKU will tee off for Tuesday’s second round starting at 7:15 a.m. CT. The Lady Tops will play with Middle Tennessee and Kennesaw State.

TEAM LEADERBOARD (8 teams)

1. Jacksonville State | 287 (-1)

2. Florida International | 288 (E)

3. New Mexico State | 290 (+2)

4. Western Kentucky | 291 (+3)

5. Middle Tennessee | 292 (+4)

6. Kennesaw State | 295 (+7)

7. UTEP | 300 (+12)

8. Sam Houston | 301 (+13)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (40 individuals)

T1. Angela Garvin, New Mexico State | 69 (-3)

T1. Lara El chaib, Jacksonville State | 69 (-3)

T1. Emma Bunch, New Mexico State | 69 (-3)

T4. Catie Craig | 70 (-2)

T6. Sydney Hackett | 71 (-1)

T14. Kaylee Dwyer | 73 (+1)

T31. Averi Cline | 77 (+5)

T33. Julia Zigrossi | 78 (+6)