Colorado Women’s Golf Fights Through Challenges at the 2025 Big 12 Conference Championship
As the sun rises over the picturesque Houston Oaks Country Club, excitement buzzes in the air for the ongoing 2025 Big 12 Conference Championship. However, for the Colorado Buffaloes women’s golf team, the second round brought more hurdles than triumphs, leaving them at 14th place, facing some daunting challenges.
A Tough Second Round
After posting a 25-over-par 309 in Wednesday’s round—five strokes higher than their previous score—the Buffaloes now sit at a total of 45-over-par, trailing Texas Tech by nine strokes. The competition is fierce, with Oklahoma State leading the day at 6-over, thanks to a solid 1-over round. Following closely are Houston at 8-over and TCU, which delivered the best single round of the day at an impressive even-par, putting them in third at 9-over.
Early Promise Falters
The Buffaloes kicked off their day with a burst of momentum, achieving four early birdies and briefly jumping to 2-under-par through the first four holes. This bright start, however, quickly succumbed to the pressure. A series of missteps, including a collective drop of six strokes at holes five and six, interrupted their flow. The team turned at 8-over after only managing one additional birdie on the front nine, two strokes behind their Tuesday performance.
Key Performers Strive for Consistency
Despite the struggles, some individuals shone bright amidst the clouds. Junior Morgan Miller and senior Maria Eidhagen Harrouch emerged as Colorado’s best performers, each finishing their 36 holes tied for 42nd place at 9-over (151). Miller delivered the top round for the Buffaloes with a respectable 76. After a rocky middle segment, where she fell to 6-over, she regained composure and finished strong with a birdie on the 342-yard par-4 18th hole.
Eidhagen Harrouch, showcasing resilience, carded a 77 in the second round, initially thriving with birdies on the par-4 third and par-5 eighth. However, an unfortunate stretch on the back nine saw her drop four strokes, before she salvaged her score with a timely birdie on the par-4 17th.
Fresh Talent: Sydney Givens
Freshman Sydney Givens is not far behind, tied for 48th at 10-over (152). Givens managed to keep her game steady on the front nine with eight pars and only one bogey, but the back nine proved more challenging, where she dropped six strokes within a critical stretch.
Coach’s Reflections and Hopes
Head coach Madeleine Sheils voiced her team’s frustrations post-round, noting, “It is really disappointing to move further in the wrong direction on moving day.” Despite this setback, she emphasized the improvements in course management while pinpointing the unforgiving nature of doubles and missed opportunities around the greens. "We will go out there tomorrow and give it our all," she added, looking forward to reclaiming some lost ground in the final round.
Individual Standouts and the Competitive Landscape
In the individual competition, Houston’s Natalie Saint Germain delivered the day’s lowest score with a dazzling 67, tying her for first alongside Marta Silchenko of Oklahoma State and Camille Min-Gaultier from TCU at 2-under for the tournament.
Looking Ahead
As the Buffaloes gear up for their third round, they will once again pair up with Texas Tech, beginning at the No. 10 tee at 7:20 a.m. MT. Golf fans can catch all the action with live coverage on ESPN+ from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MT.
The 2025 Big 12 Conference Championship continues to be an arena of fierce competition, and the Colorado Buffaloes are ready to tackle the challenges head-on as they strive to climb the leaderboard. Can they harness their early-round energy and convert it into results? Only time will tell!
For more updates on college golf and the latest competition news, don’t forget to visit the University of Colorado Athletics website.
Top Individual Performers:
| Rank | Name | Score (To Par) |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Marta Silchenko, OSU | 71-69—140 (-2) |
| T1 | Camille Min-Gaultier, TCU | 72-68—140 (-2) |
| T1 | Natalie Saint Germain, Houston | 73-67—140 (-2) |
| T4 | Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn, ISU | 70-71—141 (-1) |
| T4 | Paula Schulz-Hanssen, ASU | 72-69—141 (-1) |
Current Team Standings:
| Rank | Team | Score (To Par) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma State | 289-285—574 (+6) |
| 2 | Houston | 288-288—576 (+8) |
| 3 | TCU | 293-284—577 (+9) |
| … | … | … |
| 14 | Colorado | 304-309—613 (+45) |
Get ready for more thrilling rounds as the Colorado Buffaloes continue to battle for their place on the leaderboard! 🌟
