Chen Highlights Cats’ Second Round in Big 12 Championship
Apr 24, 2026 | Women's Golf
DALLAS, Texas – Sophomore Kelsey Chen posted a score of even-par 72 to lead the Kansas State women's golf team during Friday's second round of the 2026 Big 12 Women's Golf Championship presented by Allstate held at the par-72, 6,270-yard Dallas Athletic Club.
As a team, the 38th-ranked Wildcats recorded a score of 19-over par 307 on Friday, bringing their 36-hole total to 36-over par 612 as they reside in 14th place.
"I am obviously disappointed with our play today," head coach Stew Burke said. "We just never got anything going. As a team, we again looked nervous starting out and never settled in. It is on me to figure out how to get us off to a better start and keep the energy up. I know the ladies are up for the challenge tomorrow."
Chen, a native of Dalian, China, began the day with birdies on two of her first three holes during a 1-under par front 9. She improved nine spots on the leaderboard to enter Saturday's final round tied for 22nd place at 3-over par 147.
Fellow sophomore, Nanami Nakashima, went 6-over par 78 on Friday as she is now tied for 44th place at 8-over par 152. Matching Nakashima's second-round total was freshman Stalee Fields, K-State's alternate who was inserted into the lineup on Friday. After making the turn at 4-over par, the Fort Worth, Texas, native recorded a birdie on No. 12 during a 2-over par back 9.
Freshman Casey Kang and sophomore Noa van Beek each recorded rounds of 7-over par 79. Kang is now in 59th place with a 36-hole score of 12-over par 156, while van Beek is tied for 62nd place at 14-over par 158.
No. 36 Houston extended its lead at four shots on Friday as the Cougars are at 4-under par 572, while second-place UCF is at even par. Two players – Oklahoma State's Ellie Bushnell and Arizona State's Patience Rhodes – are tied for the individual lead at 4-under par 140.
K-State begins the final round of the 2026 Big 12 Championship presented by Allstate at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Live results can be followed on SCOREBOARD powered by Clippd, while final-round coverage will be shown on ESPN+ with John Liddle (play by play) and Lauren Withrow (analyst) on the call.
As a team, the 38th-ranked Wildcats recorded a score of 19-over par 307 on Friday, bringing their 36-hole total to 36-over par 612 as they reside in 14th place.
"I am obviously disappointed with our play today," head coach Stew Burke said. "We just never got anything going. As a team, we again looked nervous starting out and never settled in. It is on me to figure out how to get us off to a better start and keep the energy up. I know the ladies are up for the challenge tomorrow."
Chen, a native of Dalian, China, began the day with birdies on two of her first three holes during a 1-under par front 9. She improved nine spots on the leaderboard to enter Saturday's final round tied for 22nd place at 3-over par 147.
Fellow sophomore, Nanami Nakashima, went 6-over par 78 on Friday as she is now tied for 44th place at 8-over par 152. Matching Nakashima's second-round total was freshman Stalee Fields, K-State's alternate who was inserted into the lineup on Friday. After making the turn at 4-over par, the Fort Worth, Texas, native recorded a birdie on No. 12 during a 2-over par back 9.
Freshman Casey Kang and sophomore Noa van Beek each recorded rounds of 7-over par 79. Kang is now in 59th place with a 36-hole score of 12-over par 156, while van Beek is tied for 62nd place at 14-over par 158.
No. 36 Houston extended its lead at four shots on Friday as the Cougars are at 4-under par 572, while second-place UCF is at even par. Two players – Oklahoma State's Ellie Bushnell and Arizona State's Patience Rhodes – are tied for the individual lead at 4-under par 140.
K-State begins the final round of the 2026 Big 12 Championship presented by Allstate at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. Live results can be followed on SCOREBOARD powered by Clippd, while final-round coverage will be shown on ESPN+ with John Liddle (play by play) and Lauren Withrow (analyst) on the call.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Women's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Women's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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