THACKERVILLE, Okla. — Fourth-year Sydney Kincade carded a 1-over par 73 to sit just outside the top 10, leading the Harding women's golf team Sunday in the opening round of the WinStar Invitational at WinStar Golf Club's Scissortail Course.

Opening their 2026–27 campaign against a nationally competitive regional field hosted by Dallas Baptist University, the Lady Bisons posted a team score of 23-over 311. Harding sits in a tie for seventh place with Angelo State after the first 18 holes of the 54-hole event.

Southeastern Oklahoma State leads the eight-team tournament after turning in an impressive 1-over 289, holding a one-stroke lead over host DBU (+2). West Texas A&M sits in third at 5-over, while St. Mary's (Texas) and Midwestern State are tied for fourth at 7-over.

Kincade, Harding's career scoring average leader, paced the Lady Bisons on Sunday. Her 73 placed her in a tie for 11th individually, five strokes off the lead held by Southeastern Oklahoma State's Emma Thompson (-4, 68).

Fourth-year Cooper Meyer delivered a solid start as well, posting a 4-over 76 to tie for 25th place.

Second-years Alyson Thomas and Vivian Volion rounded out the scoring for Harding, each carding 9-over 81s to sit in a tie for 45th. First-year Audrey Kuntz made her collegiate debut, carding an 83 (+11) to tie for 50th. Third-year Sidney Gainor withdrew during the round.

The field contended with the 6,218-yard, par-72 layout under sweltering late-summer conditions in Thackerville. Competitors battled triple-digit heat, with sunny skies, temperatures reaching near 100°F (heat indices up to 104°F), and southeast winds around 10 mph contributing to a demanding opening day. The tournament field averaged a 76.47 scoring mark in round one.

The second round of the WinStar Invitational is scheduled for Monday morning, with the final round set for Tuesday.