PHOENIX, Ariz. – Freshman Kate Nakaoka delivered a career performance, finishing sixth individually and leading the Oregon State women’s golf team to a sixth-place showing at the PING/ASU Invitational on Tuesday. The Beavers closed out the three-day tournament at the par-72, 6,570-yard Papago Golf Club with a final-round 2-under 286, the second-best team score of the day, finishing at 6-over 870 overall. This strong finish for Oregon State comes as they continue their spring season, building momentum with each competition.
Nakaoka’s performance was particularly noteworthy, marking her third career Top 10 finish. The Beavers’ success wasn’t just individual; they outperformed two nationally ranked teams, finishing ahead of No. 14 UCLA (+10, 874) and No. 19 Northwestern (+23, 887), according to the official tournament results. Oregon State’s full schedule and results are available on their athletics website.
Nakaoka’s Breakout Performance
The true freshman from Mililani, Hawai’i, carded a career-best round of 4-under 68 in Tuesday’s final round, contributing to a career-best three-round score of 5-under 211 (71-72-68). This surpassed her previous best round of 3-under 69, achieved at the Bruin Wave Invitational earlier this spring, and her previous best three-round score of even-par 216, also at the Bruin Wave Invitational. Nakaoka’s consistent improvement throughout the season has quickly established her as a key player for the Beavers.
“Kate is really starting to uncover her rhythm,” said Oregon State head coach Caroline Inglis in a statement to the team’s website. “She’s a very talented player, and her composure under pressure is impressive for a freshman.”
Team Effort and Steady Play
While Nakaoka led the charge, the Beavers benefited from consistent play across the board. Senior Kyra Ly continued her strong collegiate career, finishing in a tie for 14th place at 2-under 214 (72-71-71). Ly’s performance included 10 birdies throughout the tournament. According to her player profile, Ly now has 19 Top 15 finishes in her four-year career and 43 scores in red figures.
Raya Nakao also showed improvement, carding a bogey-free 1-under 71 in the final round to jump 18 spots up the leaderboard and finish in a tie for 31st at 4-over 220 (76-73-71). Kelly Hope recorded a season-best even-par 72 in the second round and finished in a tie for 52nd place at 9-over 225 (77-72-76), marking her best three-round score of the 2025-26 campaign. Clara Alevag finished in 84th place with a 22-over 238 (82-80-76).
Tournament Results and Looking Ahead
No. 2 USC secured the team title with a dominant 23-under 841, while Davina Xanh of Cal State Fullerton claimed the individual crown at 8-under 208. Full tournament results can be found on the GolfStat website.
The Beavers’ sixth-place finish represents a solid performance against a competitive field, and their ability to best two Top 20 teams demonstrates their growing potential. The team’s focus now shifts to their next competition, the Silverado Showdown in Napa, California, scheduled for Monday, April 6 to Wednesday, April 8. This tournament will provide another opportunity for Oregon State to test their skills and continue building towards their postseason goals.
The Silverado Showdown will be held at the Silverado Resort and Spa, a challenging course that will demand precision and strategic play from the Beavers. Fans can follow the team’s progress and find updates on the Oregon State Athletics website. The team’s continued success hinges on maintaining the momentum generated by Nakaoka’s strong performance and the consistent play of their veteran players.
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