K-State’s Bert captures Big 12 title as Wildcats finish 5th

Kansas State senior women’s golfer Sophie Bert carded a final-round total of 5-under par 66 on Thursday, rising 13 spots up the leaderboard to capture the Wildcats’ first-ever individual conference championship title at the 2025 Big 12 Championship held at the par-71, 6,249-yard Houston Oaks Golf Club.

As a team, K-State began the day in 11th place before climbing six spots to finish in fifth place at 25-over par 877. After placing third in last year’s Big 12 Championship, the Wildcats have now finished in the top five in consecutive conference championships for the first time in program history.

Bert posted a 54-hole score of 2-under par 211 (74-71-66), the only player to finish under par and the best three-round total in K-State’s conference history championship. Additionally, her final-round total of 66 was the best ever by a K-State player in the conference championship and tied for the sixth-best overall score.

Senior Carla Bernat rose eight spots on Thursday to join Bert in the top five as she earned a runner-up finish at even-par 213 (69-75-69) thanks to a final-round total of 2-under par 69. It marked the first time in K-State’s conference championship history that the Wildcats had two top-10 finishers.

Junior Noa van Beek joined the senior duo with an under-par score of her own at 1-under par 70.

Those three players spearheaded a team effort that saw the Wildcats record a final-round score of 5-under par 279, the only squad among the 14-team field to record an under-par round during the championship and K-State’s best round ever in a conference championship.

The Wildcats finished the 2025 Big 12 Championship just six strokes shy of a three-team playoff to determine the conference champion, which was eventually won by Arizona. Kansas State’s three-round total of 877 was the third best 54-hole score in its conference championship history.

“What a comeback from the ladies today,” head coach Stew Burke said in a written statement. “Yesterday was the low point of our season, and we were looking for a reaction from them today. They certainly delivered by shooting the only team round under par all week. We are very proud of Sophie for winning the individual championship and Carla for her runner-up finish.

“As a group, I am extremely proud of them and how they kept great poise in difficult conditions. They deserve their NCAA Regional opportunity, and we look forward to Wednesday as we find out where we will be headed for the postseason.”

Starting on the back 9, Bert began her march to the conference title with a birdie on the par-4 10th hole before bogeying No. 15. From there, the Deurle, Belgium, native birdied five of her next six holes, including each of the first three after making the turn. She then parred the final six holes to claim the individual championship.

Bernat’s round got off to a shaky start as she double-bogeyed No. 11 and bogeyed No. 15. However, the Castellon, Spain, product went bogey free and 5-under par over her final 11 holes to complete her rise to a tie for second place.

A native of Oene, Netherlands, van Beek rose 16 spots on Thursday to tie for 40th place at 13-over par 226 (75-81-70). Her final round featured four birdies, which included a bogey-free and 3-under par back 9.

Freshman Nanami Nakashima also made a jump on the final day thanks to her best round of the championship, a 3-over par 74. She tied for 47th place at 16-over par 229 (78-77-74). Sophomore Alenka Navarro finished in 65th place at 27-over par 240 (77-80-83).

Kansas State now turns its attention to the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Selection Show, which will be held Wednesday at noon (CT) on GOLF Channel. The Wildcats are in search of their sixth ever NCAA Regional berth and first since 2017.

The post K-State’s Bert captures Big 12 title as Wildcats finish 5th appeared first on News Radio KMAN.