The Oregon women’s golf team has advanced to match play at the NCAA Championships for the third time in its history and second time in three years. The Ducks secured the No. 7 seed and will face No. 2 seed LSU in the quarterfinals. They tied for sixth place in stroke play at 19-over par, three strokes above the cut line for the top eight teams.
Oregon had a tense final round, falling below the cut line halfway through the day after starting in a tie for seventh. Seniors Ching-Tzu Chen and Minori Nagano played crucial roles, shooting a combined 5-under par over their last nine holes, lifting their team back into qualifying position.
Head coach Derek Radley praised Chen and Nagano for their leadership, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure. Freshman Kiara Romero emerged as Oregon’s top performer, finishing sixth overall at 4-under par. Her score of 284 for the tournament is the best individual 72-hole performance in the program’s history, and her sixth-place finish is the second-best for a Duck at the NCAA Championships.
Radley commended Romero for her consistent performance, noting her talent and hard work. Chen and Nagano, however, were pivotal in the final stretch. After a tough start, they combined for six birdies and just one bogey on the front nine, ensuring Oregon’s advancement.
Oregon finished stroke play tied with UCLA, while LSU tied for first with Stanford. Tiebreakers determined the Ducks would play the Tigers in the quarterfinals, with the match set to start at 6:50 a.m. PT. The winners will face either UCLA or Texas A&M in the semifinals later in the day.
Radley reflected on the team’s season, emphasizing their resilience and hard work. He expressed pride in their accomplishments and optimism for the upcoming match.
The Ducks had a challenging start to the day but managed to stay competitive. Chen made four birdies in five holes after a rough patch, and Nagano recovered from a double bogey to finish strong with consecutive pars. Romero had a steady final round, contributing significantly to the team’s performance.
Romero set a new single-season record for birdies at Oregon with 118, breaking the previous record. Chen’s four birdies brought her career total to 356, second-most in program history. The quarterfinal matches are set, with each player eager to advance and potentially reach the national championship match.
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