USC Women’s Golf Rallies to Finish Tied for Sixth at Therese Hession Regional Challenge
PALOS VERDES ESTATES - After a slow start on day one, the No. 2 USC women's golf team found its rhythm and closed strong at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge, clawing its way into a tie for sixth place by the tournament’s end at Palos Verdes Golf Club.
The Trojans posted a three-round total of 869 (+19), matching their second-round score with another steady 283 (-1) in Tuesday’s final round. That performance capped a climb of eight spots on the leaderboard over the last two days - a gritty comeback that marks USC’s fourth top-half finish of the season.
Leading the charge was sophomore Bailey Shoemaker, who opened her 2025-26 campaign with a solid showing, finishing in a tie for 12th at 215 (+2). Shoemaker briefly flirted with a top-five spot during the final round but settled for a 73 (+3) after closing with back-to-back bogeys. Still, her round included two birdies and added another top-25 finish to her growing resume - the 14th of her collegiate career.
Elise Lee also cracked the top 20, finishing tied for 19th at 217 (+4). Her final-round 72 (+1) was a rollercoaster - four birdies showed her scoring ability, but three bogeys and a double on the par-3 4th kept her from going lower. Even so, it was her eighth career top-25 finish and her fifth since joining the Trojans.
But the biggest mover of the day? That was Kylie Chong.
The sophomore came out firing with a team-best 69 (-2), vaulting up 20 spots to finish tied for 23rd at 218 (+5). Chong led the team with five birdies in the final round and tied for the fewest bogeys with just three.
It was a breakout round that gave USC a much-needed boost on the final day.
Catherine Park, the team’s veteran senior, also delivered when it counted. She carded a 70 (-1) in the final round - her best of the tournament - with four birdies and three bogeys. That effort helped her leap 18 spots to finish tied for 43rd at 222 (+9).
Jasmine Koo improved each round, finishing tied for 63rd at 226 (+13) after a final-round 72. Chloe Kim, competing as an individual, posted her best round on Tuesday with a 73, closing out at 227 (+14) and tied for 68th.
While USC was making its move, No. 23 UCLA was busy running away with the team title. The Bruins finished at 844 (-8), powered by Jeonghyun Lee, who shared medalist honors with Texas’ Farah O’Keefe at 208 (-5).
Here’s how the Trojans stacked up individually:
USC Individual Results:
- **T12.
Bailey Shoemaker** - 215 (+2) | Rounds: 73-68-74
- **T19.
Elise Lee** - 217 (+4) | Rounds: 77-68-72
- **T23.
Kylie Chong** - 218 (+5) | Rounds: 75-74-69
- **T43.
Catherine Park** - 222 (+9) | Rounds: 78-74-70
- **T63.
Jasmine Koo** - 226 (+13) | Rounds: 81-73-72
- **T68.
Chloe Kim (Individual)** - 227 (+14) | Rounds: 77-77-73
Team Leaderboard - Top 10: 1.
UCLA - 844 (-8)
2.
Texas - 855 (+3)
3.
Texas A&M - 861 (+9)
4.
Florida - 864 (+12)
5.
Oregon - 865 (+13)
T6.
USC - 869 (+17)
T6.
South Carolina - 869 (+17)
8.
SMU - 873 (+21)
T9.
Pepperdine - 876 (+24)
T9.
Kansas - 876 (+24)
What’s Next:
The Trojans now turn their attention to the desert, where they’ll compete in the Alice and John Wallace Classic hosted by Long Beach State at Monterey Country Club from Feb.
14-16. It’s another chance for this talented squad to build momentum as the spring season rolls on.
If this week’s climb up the leaderboard showed us anything, it’s that this USC team has the depth, resilience, and firepower to contend - even when the opening round doesn’t go their way.