Kansas State Women’s Golf Shines at the 2025 Big 12 Championship
H2: A Stellar Start for Kansas State University
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, senior Carla Bernat shone brightly for the 28th-ranked Kansas State women’s golf team during the opening round of the 2025 Big 12 Championship, held at the picturesque Houston Oak Golf Club. With its challenging par-71 layout stretching over 6,249 yards, the stage was set for a memorable competition, and the Wildcats were eager to make their mark.
H3: Carla Bernat’s Impressive Performance
With her 14th round in the 60s this season, Bernat demonstrated her exceptional talent by finishing the day tied for first place at 2-under par 69. Her performance helped propel the Wildcats to a first-round total of 11-over par 295, placing them in eighth position. Notably, they are just one stroke shy of breaking into seventh place, currently occupied by the 8th-ranked Arizona State, and only two strokes behind a tie for fifth between 15th-ranked TCU and 31st-ranked UCF.
“We are a little bit disappointed with today’s round,” said head coach Stew Burke. “While we managed a strong start, we struggled to maintain our momentum on the back nine. Though we didn’t catch the breaks at crucial moments, I’m proud of how well we played overall. Our focus tonight will be on recuperating and preparing to charge ahead in the next two rounds. We know we have the capability to climb the leaderboard.”
H4: A Closer Look at Bernat’s Round
Bernat kicked off her round starting from the 10th tee, where she birdied two of her first three holes, showcasing her sharp focus. A tap-in birdie on the 12th hole emphasized her precision, getting her approach shot within mere feet of the cup. While a bogey on the par-3 7th hole dampened her score momentarily, she swiftly rebounded with a birdie on the par-5 8th before concluding her round with steady play.
This round not only marked her 39th as a collegiate golfer, but it also highlighted her impressive tally of 21 under-par rounds this season.
H3: Supporting Cast
The rest of the team’s performance included senior Sophie Bert, who found herself tied for 27th place with a score of 3-over par 74. Her round was a rollercoaster ride, featuring five birdies but also marred by six bogeys and a double bogey. Junior Noa van Beek closely trailed Bert, sitting just one stroke behind at 39th place.
Sophomore Alenka Navarro recorded a score of 6-over par 77, tying her for 49th place, while freshman Nanami Nakashima matched her score, adding an air of excitement as the tournament progresses.
H2: Championship Landscape
At the top of the leaderboard, No. 19 Arizona and 29th-ranked Iowa State dominated day one with matching scores of 1-over par 285. Following closely is No. 26 Houston, trailing by just three shots in third place, while No. 30 Oklahoma State secured fourth place with a score of 5-over par 289.
Bernat finds herself amongst strong competition, sharing the leaderboard’s apex with Carolina Melgrati of Arizona and Maelynn Kim of Houston. The trio holds a slender one-shot lead over four other players who caught their rhythm, posting an impressive 1-under par 70 during the first round.
H3: What’s Next for the Wildcats?
With the anticipation building for the second round of the 2025 Big 12 Championship, K-State will tee off on Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. from No. 1 tee, paired with Arizona State and Cincinnati. Fans and followers can keep up with live updates on the tournament by checking the SCOREBOARD powered by Clippd.
As the tournament unfolds, Kansas State’s Wildcats aim to capture our hearts and possibly the championship glory. Stay tuned; exciting action awaits!
