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HOCKLEY, Texas – Kansas State senior Sophie Bert made history Thursday by firing a final-round 5-under 66 to surge 13 spots and become the program’s first-ever individual conference champion at the 2025 Big 12 Championship, hosted at Houston Oaks Golf Club (par-71, 6,249 yards).
K-State, which began the day in 11th, rallied to finish fifth with a team score of 25-over 877. This marks the first time the Wildcats have secured back-to-back top-five finishes at the Big 12 Championship, following their third-place finish last year.
Bert finished with a 54-hole total of 2-under 211 — the only under-par score in the field and the lowest three-round total by a Wildcat in conference championship play. Her final-round 66 was also a program best in this event and tied for the sixth-lowest score overall.
Senior Carla Bernat also had a standout day, climbing eight spots to secure second place at even-par 213, carding a 2-under 69 in the final round. This marks the first time K-State has had two players finish in the top 10 at the conference championship. Junior Noa van Beek added to the momentum, posting a 1-under 70.
These performances fueled a record-setting team round of 5-under 279 — the best ever by a Wildcat team at a conference championship and the only under-par team round of the tournament among 14 teams.
The Wildcats finished just six shots short of a three-way playoff for the title, which Arizona eventually claimed. K-State’s team total of 877 ranks as the third-lowest in school history for the event.
“What a comeback from the ladies today,” said head coach Stew Burke. “After a tough day yesterday, we asked for a response, and they delivered with the only under-par team round of the week. We’re proud of Sophie for her individual win and Carla for finishing runner-up. The team showed great composure in tough conditions, and we’re excited to find out where we’re headed for regionals.”
Bert, from Deurle, Belgium, kicked off her round with a birdie on No. 10, followed by a bogey at 15. She then caught fire, birdieing five of her next six holes — including the first three after the turn — before parring the final six to clinch the title.
Bernat, of Castellon, Spain, overcame early setbacks — a double bogey at 11 and a bogey at 15 — to play her final 11 holes at 5-under without a bogey, earning a tie for second.
Van Beek, a native of Oene, Netherlands, leapt 16 spots to tie for 40th at 13-over 226, highlighted by four birdies and a bogey-free back nine at 3-under.
Freshman Nanami Nakashima also moved up, shooting her best round of the tournament — a 3-over 74 — to finish tied for 47th at 16-over 229. Sophomore Alenka Navarro placed 65th at 27-over 240.
Next up for K-State is the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Selection Show, airing Wednesday, April 23 at 12 p.m. CT on GOLF Channel. The Wildcats are hoping for their sixth NCAA Regional appearance and their first since 2017.
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