Stanford might still be the significant NCAA women’s title favorite.
Down two of its usual starters for the foreseeable future, the new-look Cardinal, led by megastar Rose Zhang, swept the titles Tuesday at the Juli Inkster Collegiate. Zhang birdied three of her last four holes to win her ninth career college tournament by two shots as Stanford beat Pac-12 foe USC by five shots.
Five of Zhang’s college victories have come this season as the sophomore is a heavy frontrunner to win her second straight Annika Award, which is given to the player of the year in Division I women’s golf.