USC Women’s Golf Races To Pac-12 Championships First Round Lead

Women’s Golf | April 17, 2023

Senior Malia Nam turned in her low round in two years — a 4-under 68 — while freshman Catherine Park and sophomore Amari Avery were also under par to lead the No. 15 USC women’s golf team into first place after the 2023 Pac-12 Women’s Championship first round on Monday (April 17) at the Papago G.C. in Phoenix.

The Trojans combined for a 9-under 279 and will take a 3-stroke lead into Tuesday’s second round. Arizona is second while top-ranked Stanford is third at 1-under.

Nam’s 68 equalled her best round since the first round of the 2021 Pac-12 Championships and put her into a tie for second, one off the lead. It was also her 14th career round in the 60s at USC, tied for eighth on the Trojan career chart.

Nam got to 68 thanks to a brilliant 5-under back 9, which led an overall Trojan surge that saw USC go a collective 15-under coming in.

Park and Avery were both 3-under on the second 9. Park is fourth at 3-under 69 — with her second round in the 60s this season — and Avery is tied for fifth at 2-under. It was Avery’s team-best 14th round under par.

Junior Brianna Navarrosa was also 3-under on the back, using it to post an even round. She is tied for 16th.

Sophomore Xin (Cindy) Kou rounded out USC’s efforts and is tied for 31st at 2-over 74.

USC will begin second-round play starting at 9:40 a.m. PT on Tuesday.