MISSOULA, Mont. — Every team and player hoped to be in contention at the end of Monday's 36 holes at the Sun Mountain Intercollegiate. The Vikings made that a reality with a strong showing on the first day of the tournament.
 
Cynthia Valerie Ong and Maddie Dustin both sit one shot off the lead while tied for second after the opening day of the tournament, while the Vikings sit five strokes back of host Montana in the team standings.
 
It was a difficult opening day for most players at the Missoula Country Club. Out of 46 total rounds from 23 players, only one round was under par. That came from Montana's Zoe Bar-Or, who shot a one-under 70 in the second round to claim the 36-hole lead at five-over (77-70=147).
 
Dustin posted the second-best round of any player Monday with a one-over 72 in the second round. The Viking junior matched Bar-Or with five birdies in her second round. She now sits tied with Ong for second on the leaderboard at six-over (76-72=148), two shots ahead of Idaho State's Kaylie Parola in fourth (76-74=150).
 
Ong played a steadier game throughout Monday's two rounds. She made par on 25 of the 36 holes she played Monday between a four-over 75 in the first round and a two-over 73 in the second. Her steadiness could give her an advantage Tuesday, when she'll battle Dustin, Bar-Or and others for medalist honors.
 
No Viking has won an individual tournament title since 2021, while no one has won a non-dual tournament since 2018.
 
Caithlyn Ong gave the Vikings a third player in the top 10 after Monday with a 12-over 154 (79-75). Her four-over 75 in the second round featured three more pars than she carded in the opening round as got used to the course.
 
Francesca Tomp tied her seasonal best with a six-over 77 in the first round. She struggled more in the second round with a 12-over 83 and now sits tied for 18th at 18-over (77-83=160) going into the second day.
 
Momo Udom had a hot start to her first round with two early birdies. She only birdied one more hole over the rest of the day, however, while finishing 21st at 19-over (80-81=161).
 
The Vikings sit 40-over (307-301=608) as a team after the opening day. Montana leads the team standings at 35-over (308-295=603). Idaho State sits five strokes back of the Vikings at 45-over (311-302=613) while Eastern Washington is five back from them at 50-over (317-301=618).
 
A tournament title for the Vikings would snap a six-season title drought going back to the Portland State-Montana State Dual in the spring of 2021. The Vikings haven't won a non-dual tournament since the Rose City Collegiate in the fall of 2018.
 
The tournament will conclude with a final 18 holes for all players Tuesday.
 
TAP-INS:

• BIRDIE WATCHING (through two rounds): Maddie Dustin, 7; Cynthia Valerie Ong, 3; Momo Udom, 3; Caithlyn Ong, 2; Francesca Tomp, 1.
• Dustin's seven birdies are already her most in a tournament this season. She had four birdies each at the Wolverine and Kalispel Invitationals.
• Seven of Ong's eight rounds so far this season have been under her career scoring average of 75.87.She ranks seventh in program history in career scoring average.
• Ong needs four more birdies Tuesday to pass Alyssa Waite for ninth all-time in career birdies at Portland State.

 
Sun Mountain Intercollegiate
Missoula Country Club
Sept. 28, 2026
Par 71/6,226 yards
4 teams/23 players
 
Team Scores
1. Montana, 308-295=603
2. Portland State, 307-301=608
3. Idaho State, 311-302=613
4. Eastern Washington, 317-301=618
 
Top 10 Players
1. Zoe Bar-Or, Montana, 77-70=147
T2. Cynthia Valerie Ong, 75-73=148
T2. Maddie Dustin, 76-72=148
4. Kaylie Parola, Idaho State, 76-74=150
T5. Katie Lewis, Montana, 76-76=152
T5. Berkley Ledesma, 79-73=152
T5. Izzy Hassebrock*, Idaho State, 76-76=152
T5. Venus Yong, Idaho State, 77-75=152
T10. Caithlyn Ong, Portland State, 79-75=154
T10. Spencer Cerenzia, Eastern Washington, 80-74=154

Portland State Golfers
T2. Cynthia Valerie Ong, 75-73=148
T2. Maddie Dustin, 76-72=148
T10. Caithlyn Ong, Portland State, 79-75=154
T18. Francesca Tomp, 77-83=160
21. Momo Udom, 80-81=161