The University of Kentucky women's golf team, ranked 31st nationally, opened its 2026-27 season at the Folds of Honor Collegiate in Grand Haven, Michigan, on September 7, according to UK Athletics. The Wildcats finished the first round tied for seventh place out of 12 teams with a score of 8-over par, eight shots behind the top three teams and 12 shots back of leader Kansas at minus-4.

Senior Cathryn Brown of Eddyville led the Wildcats with an even-par 72, placing her in a tie for 12th on the individual leaderboard. Brown, the team's stroke-average leader from last season at 72.1, recorded five birdies in the first round, including two in her final four holes. It marked the 42nd consecutive round in which her score has contributed to the team total, a streak dating to her sophomore season in spring 2025.

Junior Isabella Johnson, who transferred to Kentucky after a season at Middle Tennessee, made her debut for the Wildcats after being signed as the 2025 Tennessee Women's Player of the Year. Johnson posted a 1-over 73 to tie for 16th individually in her first appearance in a Kentucky uniform.

Also competing for the Wildcats were junior C.A. Carter at 4-over par in a tie for 33rd, senior Samantha Paradise at 3-over in a tie for 31st, and senior Brooke Oberparleiter at 6-over in a tie for 41st. Oberparleiter was making her return to the lineup for the first time since October 2025 after being sidelined by injury through most of last season.

The Wildcats, who finished third last year at the same event and reached their seventh NCAA Championship appearance in spring 2026, return to the course on September 8 at 1:05 p.m. ET. Head coach Golda Borst, in her 17th season, has assembled an entirely upperclassmen roster led by the experienced veterans from last spring's historic postseason run. The tournament will continue to be broadcast live daily on Golf Channel.