Four-way tie atop WAPT leaderboard following Round 1 of Heritage Classic in Wichita

Taylor Eldridge
WAPT/Courtesy

The opening round of the Heritage Classic proved to be the lowest first-round score in the tournament’s brief history at Rolling Hills Country Club.

Greta Bruner, Sarah Kahn, Lauren Lehigh and Megan Osland share a four-way tie atop the leaderboard at the Women’s All Pro Tour championship event after each fired a 5-under round of 67.

With the top-five finishers in the season-long standings advancing to LPGA Q-School and a $100,000 purse up for grabs this week, a lot is on the line this weekend in Wichita.

“It would be huge (to win) and it would put me in a really good position,” said Osland, a Canada native who sits No. 17 in the standings entering the finale in Wichita. “There is a carrot for finishing (high), which means getting significant help with paying for LPGA Qualifying School coming up.”

Osland was the first in the clubhouse with a 67, courtesy of a tournament-best eight birdies. Her first-round score in Wichita marked her season-best round and one off her previous best in WAPT play.

Bruner, a 2021 TCU graduate, is also in contention for a Q-School spot, as she entered this week ranked No. 16 in the standings.

“I actually play a game within myself,” Bruner said. “It’s easy to get caught up in the concept of there is only so many holes that are birdie-able. I tell myself in my practice rounds that if I can birdie every hole on the golf course, I get to buy myself new shoes. It opens up my mind that this course is scorable and not to put limitations on myself.”

An eagle on the 543-yard par-5 No. 12 launched Kahn, a 2023 High Point graduate, into contention. She also drilled a 6-foot birdie putt on the final hole to finish tied atop the leaderboard.

Like Kahn, Lauren Lehigh, a 2023 New Mexico graduate, was also one of the final players to finish their rounds on Thursday. She carded a 4-under par second nine while playing the front-nine to complete her charge to move into the crowded top spot.

Wichita native Kinslea Jones, a 17-year-old Maize senior who is the youngest player in the field, finished with a 4-over score of 76 to finish in a tie for 73rd place in the field of more than 120 professional players.

The second round of play begins at 7:40 a.m. Friday with the top 40 and ties after the round advancing to the weekend. The event is free to the public to attend and free shuttle transportation to the course is available from parking at Bishop Carroll High School.