An Oregon women’s golf team that entered the post season ranked #8 in the country and that, on paper, had the talent to possibly compete for a national title was eliminated from the playoffs in the regional round in Waco, TX this week. The Ducks entered the third day of competition in striking distance of the in 4th
place needing a top top five finish in the field of 12 to advance to super regionals. The third day was the team’s worst of the week and they ended in seventh place. It was a tough way to end the season after a similarly uncharacteristic finish in the Big Ten Tournament.
While the Ducks avoided bogies throughout the week, leading the field with 189 pars, they could not consistently lower their scores as they finished with only 31 birdies (8th place). Thirteen of those birdies came from Kiara Romero (2nd individually for the tournament), who continued to lead the way for the team. Freshman Sophie Han finished her debut season well at 1 over par.
Veterans Darae Chung and Tong An had solid, though unspectacular performances. Special mention needs to be made of the situation faced by Junior Karen Tsuru. Like Romero she has competed in WPGA Amateur Division events rising as high as No. 46 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Unfortunately she was injured and did not compete during the fall, only returning for the Chevron Classic and Big Ten Tournament in the Spring. It was obvious at the latter tournament that her time away from the course had affected her, and she simply wasn’t at her best in this regional round finishing 11 over par.
Team Results
4. Oregon — 280-283-286 — 849 (+9)
T-3. Kiara Romero — 66-70-69 — 205 (-5)
T-15. Sophie Han — 69-72-70 — 211 (+1)
T-39. Darae Chung — 73-70-75 — 218 (+8)
43. Tong An — 72-73-74 — 219 (+9)
T-46. Karen Tsuru — 77-71-73 — 221 (+11)
This is an earlier exit from the playoffs than the team is used to. There is still reason to be optimistic heading into the off season. The entire line up from this playoff still has eligibility remaining, and most of them will be seniors in the fall. Romero has a chance to cement her legacy as the greatest golfer in Oregon history, and Han is a rising star. Tsuru endured a difficult season but will have a chance to fully recover physically and return to her prior form over the summer. Fully healed and prepared, these five have a chance against any team in the country.
As always, go Ducks.
