Sun Devils women’s golf does well at home, finishing second at the Ping ASU

(Photo: Courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

In her final home tournament at Papago Golf Club as a member of the Arizona State women’s golf team, senior Paula Schulz-Hanssen tried her best not to think about her emotions and instead went to work in round one. 

On Wednesday, the No. 23 Sun Devils finished second in a field consisting of eight top-50 teams at the Ping ASU Invitational. Freshman Pimpisa Rubrong led the way with a runner-up finish, while Schulz-Hanssen delivered a strong opening round in the Sun Devils’ final regular-season event before the Big 12 Conference Championship.

“There’s nothing better for a coach than to watch hard work be rewarded,” head coach Missy Farr-Kaye said. “The best is yet to come.”

Schulz-Hanssen’s steady rise in production during the first 18 holes of competition reflected that progress.

The former No. 2 overall recruit failed to accomplish an under-par performance in the first round of her first six tournaments this season, but recently the tides changed.

On Monday, Schulz-Hanssen earned a 4-under-par performance with no bogeys on her scorecard, marking her third consecutive tournament with an under-par score on day one.

In the next two rounds, Schulz-Hanssen carded a 2-over-par performance, landing her to tie for 14th place as one of only three Sun Devils to finish in the top 15.

“We’ve played this course a lot, so we really know which parts are firm and which are softer, or which pins to attack and which not to attack,” Schulz-Hanssen said. “We’re pretty prepared for everything that’s out there.” 

While the German’s knowledge of the Papago course guided her to an impressive start, Schulz-Hanssen’s roommate, ASU soccer’s senior goalkeeper Pauline Nelles, followed her throughout the tournament, which gave the team good luck, Schulz-Hanssen said.

“She brought us all presents before the round,” Schulz-Hanssen said. “She just brought really good vibes.”

Despite the seniors’ success on Monday, the majority of the team had to fight to finish with a respectable score.

On the very first hole during day one, sophomore golfer Isla McDonald-O’Brien tallied a triple-bogey on the longest par five of the day, immediately affecting her score.

Instead of caving in, McDonald-O’Brien fought on the back nine, where she shot 3-under-par, along with a birdie on hole eight, in order to finish even on the day.

In a similar fashion, freshman Johanna Axelsen and senior Beth Coulter bogeyed the same par-5 as McDonald-O’Brien and accumulated six bogeys in total on the front nine.

Just like the England native, Axelsen and Coulter found their stride by gathering enough birdies on the back nine to both end up even-par.

“They did a really good job on their own,” Farr-Kaye said. “They were able to flip that switch. It’d be great to start a little faster, but we also talked about finishing strong, which is how they keep that momentum going for the rest of the round.”

Although some Sun Devils needed a round or two to flip the switch, Rubrong hit the ground running immediately.

The native of Thailand caught attention in her first home tournament after earning her first top-five finish as a Sun Devil at the 2026 Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational last week, winning the 2026 Ann Votik Award, which is given to the top freshman finisher at the Ping ASU Invitational.

Rubrong finished tied for second with a 7-under-par performance, which was just one stroke back from the eventual winner.

In each of her three rounds, Rubrong scored under par, which only three other golfers completed as well.

The first-year golfer shined brightest on day two with a bogey-free front nine, leading her to a  4-under-par showing. 

While Rubrong looked comfortable out on the tee boxes, her hard work outside the facility paved the way for her recent success. 

Entering the Sun Devil family in January, she needed to navigate life outside of Thailand, including learning college courses and a language barrier, but Farr-Kaye said Rubrong is starting to find her footing.

“I say to the girls, she’s translating everything we’re saying, think about how exhausting that is,” Farr-Kaye said. “But, she’s really starting to get settled in and feel comfortable, while managing travel, and coach Ryan (Heisey) and I have learned a lot about her and how we can better coach her.”

With the end of the Ping ASU Invitational, a month-long break awaits the Sun Devils before the Big 12 Conference Championship on April 23-25, except for redshirt junior Patience Rhodes and Coulter.

The experienced duo will represent ASU as they compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on April 2-5, the world’s most prestigious women’s amateur tournament.

Since the ANWA was founded in 2019, ASU golfers have competed in the tournament every year.

“I want everyone on my team to experience it because there is just nothing like it,” Farr-Kaye said.

In the meantime, Farr-Kaye said the team will review stats and address areas that need improvement to set itself up for success in the postseason.

Farr-Kaye said her ASU squad is “under-ranked” and that the team’s heart makes them “really fun” to watch.

“I know we’re a better team than what we’re ranked,” Farr-Kaye said. “This team is going to surprise some people in the postseason.”

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