Women’s Golf Concludes 40th Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational at Pearl

‘AIEA, O’ahu — The University of Hawai’i women’s golf team concluded the 40^th edition of the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational on Wednesday, finishing in 11^th place at the Pearl at Kalauao.
 
After battling through Tuesday’s midday rain, the team returned for the final 18 holes, posting a third-round score of 304 to finish with a three-day total of 909 (+57).
 
The tournament served as the final regular season home competition for three Rainbow Wahine seniors – Emiko Sverduk, Sofina Firouzi, and Wendy Song. Sverduk provided a significant spark for the team in her final round at home, carding Hawai’i’s best score of the day. The Long Beach, Calif., native bounced back from a difficult Tuesday to fire an even-par 71, vaulting into 53^rd place with a total of 228 (+15). Firouzi finished her home career in 65^th place with a 54-hole total of 236 (+23). Song did not compete due to injury.
 
Top-ranked Southern California captured the team title in dominant fashion, finishing with a 28-under-par total of 824 . The Trojans were led by individual medalist Jasmine Koo, who fired a 4-under 67 in the final round to finish at 11-under-par (202) for the tournament. Koo’s performance anchored a USC squad that saw four of its five starters finish inside the top 20.
 
Leading the Hawai’i effort was Maline Kraus, who earned the team’s top finish by tying for 32^nd place. Kraus displayed remarkable consistency throughout the week, following up two steady rounds of 73 with a final-round 76 for a total of 222 (+9). Jasmine Wong also remained in the top 40, finishing in a tie for 39^th at 225 (+12) after a challenging final-round 80.
 
Chloe Ku rounded out the starting lineup in a tie for 68^th with a total of 240 (+27). Competing as an individual, Kaydence Kim finished in a tie for 56^th place, posting a final-round 77 to finish at 230 (+17).
 
The 40^th anniversary of the event honored the legacy of Dr. Donnis Thompson, a pioneer for women’s athletics at the University of Hawai’i. While the Rainbow Wahine finished behind several top-25 programs, the tournament offered valuable home-course experience as the team prepares for the remainder of the spring season.
 
UH will next compete at the Ping ASU Tournament, March 23-25 in Phoenix, Ariz., prior to the Big West Championship in April which will be held at the Royal Kā’anapali Course in west Maui.
 
11. Hawai’i – 299-306-304=909 (+57)
T-32. Maline Kraus – 73-73-76=222 (+9)
T-39. Jasmine Wong – 71-74-80=225 (+12)
53. Emiko Sverduk – 78-79-71=228 (+15)
65. Sofina Firouzi – 77-82-77=236 (+23)
T-68. Chloe Ku – 79-80-81=240 (+27)
 

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