Kansas State Women’s Golf Team Shines at Yale Invitational West

LA QUINTA, Calif. – The 26th-ranked Kansas State women’s golf team made a strong showing in the opening rounds of the Yale Invitational West. With an impressive performance featuring two under-par scores, they find themselves just two shots behind the leaders after 36 holes at the par-72, 6,304-yard Nicklaus Course at PGA WEST.

Team Performance Highlights

Kansas State is currently in third place with a score of 6-under par 570, trailing only the 10th-ranked Pepperdine and No. 38 Kansas. The Wildcats opened with a 4-under par 284 in the morning round and followed it up with a 2-under par 286 in the afternoon. Four athletes delivered standout performances, each finishing in the top 20 going into the final round.

Coach Stew Burke expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience, stating, “Today we encountered a bit of everything… We hung in there and kept ourselves within striking distance.” He emphasized the need for sharper play and reducing unforced errors in Tuesday’s final round, especially given the course’s challenging nature.

Key Player Performances

Nanami Nakashima Shines

Lead by sophomore Nanami Nakashima, who is in a tie for sixth place at 2-under par 142, Kansas State displayed remarkable consistency. Nakashima’s first round of 4-under par 68 with six birdies set the tone for the team, even as she managed a 2-over par performance in the afternoon.

Strong Contributions from Teammates

• Noa van Been: The senior, currently tied for 13th at even-par 144, rebounded impressively with a 4-under par 68 in the second round, showcasing her talent with eight birdies.
• Kesley Chen: The sophomore from Kansas followed suit, moving to even-par 144 after shooting 1-over par 73 in the first round and a 1-under par 71 in the afternoon.

Freshman Star Casey Kang

Freshman Casey Kang delivered a breathtaking performance in the morning round, leading the pack with a 5-under par 67. She recorded eight birdies, including a bogey-free 5-under par back 9, marking her score as one of the lowest for a freshman in school history.

Despite a struggle in the afternoon round, Kang is still within striking distance, tied for 20th at 2-over par 146. Meanwhile, Keen Visavapattamawan is in 41st place at 12-over par 156, rebounding with a solid 1-over par 73 in the afternoon after an initial setback.

Looking Ahead

As they prepare for the final round of the Yale Invitational West, Kansas State will face a tough challenge. With Kansas’ Lyla Louderbaugh leading the individual standings at 3-under par 136, the Wildcats need their best performance to secure a tournament victory.

The closing round is set for an 8:15 a.m. (PT) shotgun start on Tuesday. Fans and followers can track live results on SCOREBOARD powered by Clippd.

For avid followers of women’s golf, this tournament showcases the high level of competition and the potential of the Kansas State Wildcats as they aim for success in the coming weeks and throughout the postseason.