For the first time in the 48-year history of the program, Western Kentucky’s women’s golf won the Conference USA Championship on Wednesday, defeating Jacksonville State by seven strokes in St. Augustine, Florida.

The Lady Tops began the day six shots back of the Gamecocks, but fired an even-par 288 to win convincingly in the end.

Individually, junior Sydney Hackett claimed the Conference USA individual title, becoming WKU’s second conference champion of all-time (Catie Craig, 2023). Hackett began the day four shots back of the lead, but a 5-under 67 vaulted her into a first-place tie with New Mexico State’s Emma Bunch. On the first playoff hole, Hackett made birdie to win the title.

“What an incredible day for our program,” WKU coach Adam Gary said in a news release. “I was so impressed with how each of the girls stayed focused on every shot and came out on top for our first-ever conference title.

“Congratulations to Sydney, too, on winning the conference championship. She was four shots back to start the day, but her calm and focused demeanor shined through with every shot. She was steady and played great, making big shots when she needed to. I am incredibly proud of our team and can’t wait to see where we head for Regionals.”

WKU made 19 birdies on Wednesday to post the best round of the day by 10 strokes. Jax State, who led going into Wednesday’s final round, had just four birdies on the day.

“I’ve always liked chasing and I knew our team is capable of amazing things,” Hackett said. “Today, it was just a matter of sticking to my routine and trusting myself. I felt oddly calm out there and kept making myself stay in the present. I am so excited for our team and we cannot wait to play in NCAA Regionals in a few weeks.”

The victory marks WKU’s first conference championship in women’s golf and league-leading 43rd Conference USA title as an athletic department since joining the league in 2014-15.

The win was WKU’s fourth of the season, extending their school record for most wins in a season. The previous record was two wins, done four other times in the 47-year history prior to 2024-25.

For Gary, it was his 15th career win, most in school history. This is Gary’s 11th season at the helm.

WKU led the tournament field in par 3 (-2) and par 4 (+25) scoring, while finishing second in par 5 scoring (even par).

The Lady Tops led the field with 43 birdies and were third with 169 pars. WKU also had the fewest bogeys and second-fewest double bogeys.

Hackett (-4) and Craig (-3) led the field in scoring on the par 3s. Hackett finished second on the par 4s (-2), while Kaylee Dwyer tied for seventh (+7). Craig (-4) and Julia Zigrossi (-4) tied for second in scoring on the par 5s.

Hackett and Craig each had 11 birdies on the week, tied for second most in the field. Perhaps Hackett’s most important birdie, on the first playoff hole, does not count towards the 11. Zigrossi finished with nine, tied for ninth most.

Hackett finished with 38 pars, tied for fifth-best, while Averi Cline also had 38.

For Hackett, the victory was her second of her career. It was her sixth top-5 finish in 11 events this season, including five this spring. She has finished inside the top 10 in all six spring events thus far.

For Craig, it was her fourth top 5 of the season and her 16th of her career.

For Dwyer, who tied for 12th, it was her fourth top 12 of her freshman campaign.

For Zigrossi, it was her fourth consecutive top-20 finish.

For Cline, it marked the sixth time this season she’s finished inside the top 25.

WKU will head to the NCAA Regionals, May 5-7, at a location to be announced. The NCAA Selection Show is April 23 at noon CT on GOLF Channel. If there will be a public selection show, WKU will announce plans in the coming days.

TEAM LEADERBOARD (8 teams)

1. Western Kentucky | 291-292-288—871 (+7)

2. Jacksonville State | 287-290-300—877 (+14)

3. Florida International | 288-297-298—883 (+19)

4. Middle Tennessee | 292-298-299—889 (+25)

5. New Mexico State | 290-301-301—892 (+28)

6. Sam Houston | 301-296-300—897 (+33)

T7. UTEP | 300-305-300—905 (+41)

T7. Kennesaw State | 295-308-302—905 (+41)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (40 individuals)

T1. Sydney Hackett | 71-72-67—210 (-6) *won playoff with birdie on first playoff hole*

T1. Emma Bunch, New Mexico State | 69-70-71—210 (-6)

T5. Catie Craig | 70-73-73—216 (E)

T12. Kaylee Dwyer | 73-75-73—221 (+5)

T20. Julia Zigrossi | 78-72-77—227 (+11)

T24. Averi Cline | 77-77-75—229 (+13)