Record-Breaking Day One at PING/ASU for Women’s Golf

PHOENIX – Sun Devil Women’s Golf opened the 2025 PING/ASU Invitational in historic fashion.

No. 9 Arizona State is hosting the 52nd edition of the iconic tournament at Papago Golf Club and did something they had never done before at the event. Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye‘s team flexed their muscle as the top-ranked squad in the field, holding a six stroke lead (-15/273) following the first 18 holes. That score is the best vs. par by an Arizona State squad to open the PING/ASU Invitational and matches the fourth-lowest team score in program history.

Top Team 18-Hole Scores (vs. par)
266 (-22) 2024 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, par 72 (second)
275 (-17) 2022 Pac-12 Preview, par 73 (first)
272 (-16) 2017 NCAA Regionals, par 72 (third)
273 (-15) 2025 PING/ASU Invitational, par 72 (first)
273 (-15) 2017 PING/ASU Invitational, par 72 (third)
273 (-15) 2009 NCAA West Regional, par 72 (first)

It is the best overall round at PING/ASU by the Maroon & Gold since the tournament moved to Papago Golf Club in 2019. The Sun Devils lead two-time defending PING/ASU champions No. 12 Northwestern, who sit in second place after the first round.

“This group executed so well today,” Coach Farr-Kaye remarked. “We set a goal to establish a lead today and they accomplished exactly what we wanted. Now the next challenge will be maintaining the lead over the next two days.”

Leading the way individually is Patience Rhodes, who staked an early claim to the individual lead. She fired a 66 (-6), which is tied for the lowest score by a Sun Devil at PING/ASU since the Papago move. Rhodes recorded the 32nd round of six-under or better in program history and first since Ashley Menne’s 66 (-6) at the Match in the Desert last season.

“I managed really well out there today,” Patience Rhodes reflected after the round. “I didn’t put too much pressure on myself and just tried to enjoy it. Taking it one shot at a time. Had some nice birdies, hitting them close to around 4-5 feet.

Close behind Rhodes is freshman Isla McDonald-O’Brien who made her PING/ASU debut in style. She carded a 68 (-4) and currently sits in sole possession of second place, trailing only her teammate Patience Rhodes. The top three spots are all occupied by Sun Devils, as Paula Schulz-Hanssen is locked in a tie for third thanks to a 69 (-3). Arizona State is the lone team to have four individuals in the Top-10, the final of which is Beth Coulter, who is tied for seventh after opening with a 70 (-2).

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