LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The Thunderbird women's golf team opened play at the 2019 New Mexico State Aggie Invitational on Monday, and following the opening 18 holes T-Bird sophomore Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan is tied for first on the leaderboard. 

Yongyuan wrapped up the first of three rounds with a two-under 70 to finished the day tied with three other golfers on top of the individual standings. There will be 18 more holes to play on both Tuesday and Wednesday at New Mexico State Golf Course. 

Second for the Thunderbirds on Monday was both Kamonwan (Poy) Prasurtwong and Tori Thomas, who each shot a 77 on end play tied for 27th on the leaderboard. 

Launa Wilson was fourth for SUU in the opening round, carding a 78. Kyla Smith rounded out the team lineup with an 81. 

As a team the Thunderbirds are tied for third after shooting 302. They are knotted up with UTEP for that spot. Both New Mexico State and Northern Arizona are leading the event on the team side, shooting a 296. 

Playing as an individual Thunderbird Hayden Harris shot an 84. 

Play will continue in New Mexico with a full round scheduled for both Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Live stats for the event are available on www.golfstat.com.

Stay current on all things SUU Golf by following @SUUGolf on Twitter and Instagram, and by liking the Southern Utah Golf page on Facebook.

Read all about the Thunderbirds on www.suutbirds.com.