The University of Hawai'i women's golf team travels to the desert this week to compete in the 16-team PING ASU Invitational, March 23-25 at Papago Golf Club, marking their final regular-season tune-up before the Big West Championship.
 
The challenge at Papago Golf Club will be formidable, as the field is packed with programs currently climbing the national rankings. Hawai'i will tee off against a powerhouse lineup that includes No. 2 USC, No. 14 UCLA, No. 19 Northwestern, No. 23 Arizona State, and No. 26 Baylor.
 
Rounding out the competitive 16-team slate are Abilene Christian, Cal State Fullerton (No. 40), Denver, Drake, Florida Atlantic, Kansas (No. 36), NAU (No. 62), New Mexico, Oregon State (No. 47), and Washington. The tournament will be played on a par-72 course spanning 6,570 yards, with play beginning Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. MT and concluding with a Wednesday morning shotgun start.
 
The Rainbow Wahine enter the desert after an 11^th place finish at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational at the Pearl at Kalauao where sophomore Maline Kraus led the UH effort with a steady 9-over 222, while senior Emiko Sverduk provided a late highlight by firing an even-par 71 in the final round.

Freshman Kaydence Kim will make her return to the lineup after carding 230 (+17) at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, where she tied for 56^th place.
 
This trip marks a return to a familiar desert stage for the Rainbow Wahine, who have tested themselves against this elite field in years past. Most notably, UH competed in the 2016 edition of the invitational, where they finished in 14^th place. During that appearance, then-juniors Izzy Leung and Raquel Ek led the way for Hawai'i, both finishing in a tie for 41^st.
 
With the Big West Championship at the Royal Kā'anapali Course on Maui coming up next month, this week represents the final competition for the Rainbow Wahine.
 
Tournament #9
Date: March 23-25, 2026
Format: 54 Holes (18 each day); 5-count-4
Time: Tee times off #1 & #10 starting at 8:00 a.m. MT, Monday and Tuesday; 8:00 a.m. shotgun start on Wednesday
Course: Papago Golf Club
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Yardage (Par): 6,570 yards (72) 
Participating Teams (16): Hawai'i, Abilene Christian, Arizona State, Baylor, Cal State Fullerton, Denver, Drake, Florida Atlantic, Kansas, NAU, New Mexico, Northwestern, Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Washington