The second stop of the 2026 Epson Tour West Coast stretch is officially underway at the sixth rendition of the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic. The field of 132 athletes were gifted picture-perfect conditions for round one at TPC Scottsdale – Champions Course, in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Thursday.

Malia Nam is an Epson Tour veteran looking to hit a new stride after a few missed cuts to begin the 2026 Epson Tour season. The 26-year-old started off very strong on her opening nine with a birdie on the par-3 12th hole, and didn’t waste any time draining an eagle on No. 13.

“Today I had some putts drop, said Nam. “It's been frustrating for me at least when I get to the greens. I've been hitting the ball really well the last few weeks just kind of haven't put together a good score. Today I stuck to game plan with hitting fairways and hitting greens but just had some puts fall for me.”

The Hawaii native sunk deeper into the red rounding the turn with four consecutive birdies on holes one through four.

“I mean the back nine was my front nine today so that birdie eagle was a really cool start, expressed Nam, “but I don't know I think the four birdies really showed that I was kind of locked in and you know just stuck to playing well and I think that has better focus. So yeah four birdies for me I think it's a little more fun.”

Nam, faltered with one bogey on hole No. 6 and got it right back to end her round with a birdie signing for a 7-under 64.

Another player taking advantage of TPC Scottsdale – Champions Course was Kaleiya Romero. The Epson Tour rookie opened with a birdie on the No. 1 and followed with sinking three more putts on holes two, four and five. The Pepperdine University alumna lost two shots on the par-4 six and par-3 seven, however gained momentum with two more under-par holes to round the turn 4-under par. Romero continued draining putts on the back nine. Ultimately finding two birdies, with an unfortunate bogey on No. 17 to sign for a 5-under, 66.

Make sure to check out what 18-hole leader, Malia Nam does as she plans to tee off for round two at 7:00 a.m. local time Friday morning.

Megan Schofill is a 24-year-old who has started this season on a good note, securing T8 and T11 finishes at the IOA Golf Classic and Orlando Health Championship, respectively. Schofill currently sits at No. 24 on the Race for the Card leaderboard. The Epson Tour sophomore fired a 4-under 67 in round one, highlighted by a 4-under opening nine.

The University of Auburn alumna was dialed on her opening nine. Rounding the turn her game faltered to find two birdies and two bogeys rounding out with an even par back side. swing fell into place and birdies began to drop from there. Schofill sits three shots back of 18-hole leader in a tie for third with Columbia’s Valery Plata.

Valery Plata opened her day on 10 tee, finding a slow start marking the first birdie of the day on hole 13. The Michigan State University alumna was soon farther under par after draining birdies on holes one, three and eight, signing for a 3-under closing nine. Plata struggled with her irons today, but gained confidence heading into round two knowing that her b-game can still produce a bogey-free round, ultimately signing for a 4-under, 67.

The pack tightens quickly, with five athletes at 3-under, sitting in a tie for fifth, setting up an intense battle heading into day two.

The Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic continues to deliver drama and opportunity for these rising stars chasing LPGA dreams. Follow along with live scoring here.

Malia Nam Leads the Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic after Round One

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