PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. – The Oregon women’s golf team climbed to seventh place after their second round at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge. They improved by six strokes, scoring a 4-over 288 to reach a total of 14 over for the tournament. Leading the other teams is No. 23 UCLA at 2-under par, followed by closely-ranked teams like No. 6 Florida (+6) and No. 11 Texas (+8).
Freshman Sophie Han and junior Kiara Romero each shot an even-par 71 on Monday, helping the Ducks in their efforts. After a rough start of 11 over on the front nine in the first round, the team found their rhythm, even par on the front nine during the second round. Unfortunately, they stumbled a bit at the end, finishing with a couple of tough holes.
Romero leads the Ducks tying for 15th at 2 over, holding steady with impressive play throughout the round. She had a strong start before facing challenges at the 17th hole. Han also made her mark by matching Romero’s score, marking a solid improvement from the first round with four birdies, including three on the back nine.
Another freshman, Shyla Singh, also showed promise with four birdies, finishing at 1-over 72. She had a clean start but faced some difficulties on the back nine. Sophomore Tong An added to the team’s score, making 15 pars but getting caught up with three bogeys.
Leaderboard Snapshot:
- Oregon: 294-288 — 582 (+14)
- Kiara Romero: 73-71 — 144 (+2)
- Sophie Han: 75-71 — 146 (+4)
- Tong An: 73-74 — 147 (+5)
- Darae Chung: 73-76 — 149 (+7)
- Shyla Singh: 79-72 — 151 (+9)
Notable Achievement: Romero reached her 304th career birdie, placing her among the top all-time in the program’s history. Oregon has made the third-most pars (114) this week but is tied for seventh in birdies (24).
As the final round approaches, the Ducks will aim to build on this momentum, starting with a shotgun format at 8:15 a.m. PT.
Expert Insight: Golf analysts highlight that improving consistency in putting is key for teams at this level. According to recent data from the NCAA, the averages for birdies and pars can significantly influence a team’s overall performance.
Fun Fact: Historically, the Oregon women’s golf team has made significant strides in recent years, reflecting efforts that emphasize player development and competition exposure. The sport continues to grow, with more colleges investing in their women’s programs, further enhancing the competitive landscape.
For more information about women’s golf statistics and trends, visit the NCAA Women’s Golf page.
