USC Women’s Golf Ready for Top-Tier Test at Therese Hession Regional Challenge
The No. 2-ranked USC women’s golf team isn’t going far this week, but they’re stepping into one of the toughest tests of the spring. The Trojans are set to tee it up at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge, hosted by Ohio State, from Feb. 1-3 at the scenic Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
And make no mistake - this field is stacked.
USC will face off against eight top-25 programs, including four inside the top 10: No. 3 Oregon, No.
6 Florida, No. 7 Texas A&M, and No.
9 Pepperdine. It’s a heavyweight lineup that promises a major early-season measuring stick for a Trojan squad that’s already shown it can rise to the moment.
Just last week, USC handled business in the Battle of LA, taking down No. 21 UCLA 3.5-1.5 in match play - their third straight win over the Bruins in that format. Confidence is high, and now the Trojans get a chance to test themselves in stroke play against some of the nation’s best.
The Field & Format
This year’s Regional Challenge features a loaded slate:
- Top 10 Opponents: No.
3 Oregon, No. 6 Florida, No.
7 Texas A&M, No. 9 Pepperdine
- Other Ranked Teams: No. 11 Texas, No.
13 Arizona State, No. 18 South Carolina, No.
23 UCLA, No. 31 SMU, No.
49 Ohio State
- Also Competing: California, Miami, San Jose State, and UNLV
The event will be played over three days, with one round per day from Friday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 3. The course - a 6,017-yard, par-71 layout - is a familiar Southern California track that should suit the Trojans well.
USC Lineup Breakdown
USC’s lineup brings a mix of experience, firepower, and fresh talent - a blend that’s made them one of the most balanced teams in the country.
Catherine Park
The senior leader and three-time All-American is entering her final spring season.
Park has already etched her name into Trojan golf history with four career wins - tied for third-most in program history. She’s coming off a strong fall that included a runner-up finish at the Stanford Intercollegiate and carries a 70.63 stroke average, third-best on the team.
Kylie Chong
Chong is coming in hot after a productive winter.
She finished second at the Patriot All-American Tournament and tied for fourth at the Australian Master of the Amateurs. During the fall, she shared medalist honors at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic with teammate Jasmine Koo, helping USC to a team win.
Ranked No. 45 nationally, Chong is a steady presence with the ability to go low.
Elise Lee
A sophomore transfer from Northwestern, Lee made an immediate impact in her first fall with the Trojans.
She led the team with three top-10 finishes, including a fourth-place showing at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate - one of the most competitive events on the calendar. Her return to Southern California has been seamless, and she enters the spring ranked No. 15 in the country.
Jasmine Koo
Koo is the highest-ranked Trojan at No. 8 nationally, and her game has been as consistent as it is explosive.
She tied for first at the Golfweek Red Sky Classic and leads the team with a 70.11 stroke average. Koo is the kind of player who can carry a team on her back when needed - and with this field, that ability could come into play.
Bailey Shoemaker
Shoemaker makes her season stroke-play debut this week.
The junior was a key contributor last year, posting three top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place run at the NCAA Lexington Regional. She’s proven she can compete at the highest level, and now she gets her chance to jumpstart the spring.
Chloe Kim (Individual)
Making her Trojan debut, freshman Chloe Kim is one to watch.
The Whittier native has already built an impressive junior résumé, including a win at the Cactus Collegiate Challenge and three top-10 finishes on the junior circuit. She helped lead Fairmont Preparatory Academy to a CIF Southern Section title in 2024 and now steps into her first collegiate event as an individual competitor.
Tee Times (All PT, Hole 1 Start)
- 10:00 a.m. - Chloe Kim (I)
- 10:12 a.m. - Jasmine Koo
- 10:24 a.m. - Bailey Shoemaker
- 10:36 a.m. - Elise Lee
- 10:48 a.m. - Kylie Chong
- 11:00 a.m. - Catherine Park
Rankings Snapshot
- Jasmine Koo - No. 8
- Catherine Park - No. 14
- Elise Lee - No. 15
- Kylie Chong - No. 45
- Sarah Hammett - No. 222
What to Watch
This tournament is more than just a chance to notch another win - it’s a postseason preview. With so many top-ranked teams in the field, the Therese Hession Regional Challenge offers a glimpse at how USC stacks up against the nation’s elite.
The Trojans have the depth, the star power, and the momentum. Now, they’ll look to put it all together on a course that rewards precision and patience.
Keep an eye on the battle within the lineup too. With multiple players capable of going low, internal competition could push this group even higher. And with a freshman like Chloe Kim entering the mix, the future looks just as promising as the present.
Live scoring is available throughout the tournament, and as always, Trojan fans can follow along on social media for updates from the course.
This week, USC isn’t just playing to win - they’re playing to make a statement.