The bayou awaits junior Madison Talley, who will represent K-State in the NCAA Women’s Golf Regionals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, starting today.
This marks the second year in a row that Talley has made it to regionals, carding a 23rd-place finish last season. Now that she has that experience behind her, Talley said she is ready to improve this year.
“Last year I went into it and I was more nervous, I think,” Talley said. “This year, after learning some lessons from last year, I’m just more excited to play my game. I’m more relaxed because it’s more familiar, and I feel more confident in my game.”
Talley’s coaches also agree that her experience from last year’s regional will be useful this time around.
“This is her second year in a row to make NCAA’s and her experience will be an asset,” head coach Kristi Knight said to K-State Sports. “(Assistant coach) Stew (Burke) and I are excited for Madison. She has had an impressive season. She is playing really well right now and is looking forward to playing this golf course.”
Talley has led K-State throughout the season, leading the Wildcats in both top-10 and top-20 finishes, including finishing fourth at the Big 12 Championship two weeks ago. Talley is also ranked in the top 100 collegiate golfers, according to Golfweek.
Talley is the first K-State golfer to compete in the regional tournament in back-to-back seasons since 2002-03.
Talley will be the third-seeded golfer behind Ashley Holder from Central Florida and Emma Svensson from Central Arkansas. Tee times are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
