Kansas State women’s golf coach Stew Burke on the NCAA opening round
Kansas State women’s golf coach Stew Burke recaps the Wildcats’ performance in the first round of the NCAA Chapionship
K-State Athletics
The Kansas State women’s golf team turned to its two youngest players to lead the way in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Championship.
Sophomore Alenka Navarro shot a 2-under-par 70 and freshman Nanami Nakashima a 1-under 71 Friday to help put the Wildcats in early contention with a round of 1-over at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
The Wildcats finished the round in seventh place, just one shot out of a four-way tie for third between Arizona State, Oregon, Texas and Florida. Vanderbilt leads with a 6-under 282 total, followed in second place by Oklahoma State at 4-under 284.
The tournament features four rounds of stroke play, with only 15 of the 30 teams plus the top nine individuals from a non-qualifying team advancing after the third round. The fourth round will determine the individual champion and then send the eight best teams into the match play quarterfinals.
In addition to the strong performances of Navarro and Nakashima, K-State got an even-par round of 72 from Lexington Regional champion Carla Bernat, while senior Sophie Bert shot 4-over 76.
After teeing off on hole No. 1 early Friday morning, the Wildcats open on No. 10 in the afternoon Saturday.
The individual leader after one round is Tennessee’s Bailey Davis at 5-under, with three others one shot back. Navarro is tied for 12th place, Nakashima tied for 19th and Bernat in a tie for 30th.
Follow here starting Saturday for live updates from the second round.
2025 NCAA Championship live updates
Follow here for live updates from Saturday’s second round.
Women’s NCAA championship format
Friday, May 16 — Stroke play, Round 1
Saturday, May 17 — Stroke play, Round 2
Sunday, May 18 — Stroke play, Round 3
Field is cut from 30 teams to 15 plus top nine individuals from non-advancing teams.
Monday, May 19 — Stroke play, Round 4
The fourth round determines individual champion, plus advances top eight teams to match play.
Tuesday, May 20 — Match play quarterfinals and semifinals
Wednesday, May 21 — Match play championship
What TV channel is the women’s NCAA Championship on
The Golf Channel will provide coverage the last three days (May 19-21).
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
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