Iqbal, Miller Earn Bids To NCAA Regionals

BOULDER — Graduate Sabrina Iqbal and sophomore Morgan Miller have earned bids as individuals to the 2024 NCAA Women's Golf Regionals as the championship field was announced on Wednesday.
 
Iqbal and Miller will both compete at the Cle Elum Regional, May 6-8, at the Tumble Creek Club in Cle Elum, Wash. The top 36 student-athletes not on one of the 72 NCAA qualifying teams advanced as individuals; six at each of the six regional sites.
 
"Really excited and both proud of Morgan and Sabrina for making it to regionals," Colorado head coach Anne Kelly said. "You always want to make it as a team, but it does show that this program is improving and getting two players in is a step in the right direction."
 
This will be the fourth NCAA appearance for Iqbal, who played in three regionals and an NCAA Championship tournament with TCU between 2019-21. Iqbal ranks second on the team in stroke average (72.66) and score in relation to par (0.55). She has five top 20 tournament finishes this year and held at least a share of Colorado's low 54-hole score in five tournaments.
 
Iqbal recently qualified for the 2024 U.S. Women's Open and will soon begin her professional career on the EPSON Tour. Iqbal tied for 37th at the 2024 Pac-12 Women's Golf Championship on Tuesday at 6-over 222.
 
"I know Sabrina wasn't satisfied with her play at the Pac-12s, so this gives her at least one more opportunity to end her college career on a really high note," Kelly said. "She's an incredible player and it's been really a great opportunity to have her on our team."
 
Miller makes her first NCAA appearance. She is Colorado's leader in stroke average (72.31) and score in relation to par (0.31), with both numbers being on pace to eclipse school single-season records.
 
"Morgan has put a ton of work on her game and has really committed to improving," Kelly said. "She works very, very hard and is passionate about the game, so it's really nice to see her get the rewards for that."
 
Miller has three top 5 finishes and five in the top 20 on the season. Miller, who missed the Pac-12 Championship with an injury, also leads the Buffaloes with 13 sub-par rounds, 17 rounds at par or better and has a school-record seven rounds in the 60s.
 
"Not being at Pac-12s was kind of a worry because all I could do is sit back and wait and see what happened, but I'm glad it all worked out," Miller said. "I'm proud of all of the hard work I've put in this semester and to see it pay off. I'm just excited for this opportunity and very thankful."
 
Miller and Iqbal become the fifth and sixth different Buffaloes to reach NCAA Regionals as individuals and first since Malak Bouraeda in 2021. It's the first time that Colorado has had two individuals advance to NCAA Regionals in the same season.
 
"It's just an honor (to play alongside Sabrina)," Miller said. "I've learned a lot from her this year and it's good to have someone go along with you for the ride and experiencing the same things. I'm excited to play one more tournament with her."
 
The low individual not on an advancing team (six individuals total) from each regional site will advance to the NCAA Championships, May 17-22, at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.