For the first time since April 2025, BYU’s women’s golf team has won a major college golf tournament.
The Cougars shot a 2-under 286 in the final round of the Red Raider Invitational on Wednesday and finished at 5-over 869 in the 54-hole event to beat host Texas Tech by two shots. New Mexico was third and Abilene Christian was fourth at The Rawls Course in Lubbock, Texas.
It was BYU’s first win since it claimed the USF Invitational in April 2025.
“We are obviously really excited about the win,” said BYU coach Carrie Roberts. “The girls played great, and everybody contributed. This should give us some confidence moving forward.”
BYU’s star was freshman Kate Walker, from St. George’s Crimson Cliffs High. Playing in just her second college event, Walker shot 71-70-73 (214) and finished second at 2-under. All five BYU starters finished in the top 25.
Isabelle Hurrion of Sam Houston was the medalist, firing a 6-under 210 to win by four shots.
“It felt really great,” said Walker, who was runner-up at the 2025 Utah Women’s State Amateur and a three-time Utah girls 4A golf individual state champion. “When I made a bogey, I came back with birdies and just kept grinding. I am so proud that I kept my head up even though today wasn’t my best. I am even more excited that our team won.”
Also for BYU, Whitney Banz of Salt Lake City tied for fifth at 2-over, the first top-five finish of her career.
Maria Barragan tied for ninth at 4-over, Tatum Otto tied for 13th at 7-over, and Berlin Long tied for 25th at 11-over. Long shot a 70 in the final round to tie her career-best for an 18-hole round.
It was quite a turnaround for the Cougars after they struggled a bit in their first tournament of the 2026-27 season.
In their season-opening tournament on Sept. 9, the Cougars finished ninth at the Trophy Club in Texas, and Barragan placed sixth after shooting a 9-under 207 through 54 holes. No other Cougar finished in the top 25.
Banz tied for 33rd at 217 and Walker placed 41st in her first college tournament, shooting 221.
Up next for the team is the PD Intercollegiate at Wichita Country Club in Kansas on Oct. 5-6.
