Montoya, Greeny Surge as Bobcats Hold at Second at Big Sky Championship
4/15/2025 7:33:00 PM | Women's Golf
Montana State sits ten strokes behind two-time defending champion Sacramento State and five strokes ahead of Northern Arizona entering Wednesday's final round at The Wigwam
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. -- Though the penultimate round of the 2025 Big Sky Women's Golf Championship is often referred to as "moving day," Montana State golf held steady in second place on the team leaderboard following Tuesday's action at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
The Bobcats shot a 6-over-par 290 as a team and trail two-time defending champion Sacramento State by just ten strokes entering Wednesday's final round.
The Hornets lead the field at 1-under-par (567) through 36 holes, with Montana State in second at 9-over-par (577).
Northern Arizona is in third at 14-over-par (582), with Weber State in fourth at 19-over-par (587).
Wednesday's final round will have Montana State, Sacramento State, and Northern Arizona going out together starting at 8:40 a.m. PT/9:40 a.m. MT.
"When we sat down for our team meeting back last August we talked about giving ourselves a chance, and we have done that," head coach Brittany Basye said. "If we can get four players at their best tomorrow, it'll be a fun round. They have worked hard all season for this opportunity and will embrace it tomorrow."
It was another stellar day on the course for Maddie Montoya, who enters Wednesday in second on the individual leaderboard after carding her second consecutive 1-under-par round of 70.
The junior from Boise, Idaho, had not shot a round under par this season before Monday, and has now done it on back-to-back days at the conference tournament.
Montoya recorded a memorable highlight on the seventh hole Tuesday, sticking one in the cup for an eagle from 130 yards out with a perfect iron shot.
The three-year starter then closed strong over the last stretch, carding birdies on the 16th and 18th holes to put herself in the final grouping on Wednesday.
Montoya's two-day score of 2-under-par 140 (70-70) puts her just one stroke back of Sacramento State's Caitlin Maurice for the individual lead (-3).
Montoya's teammate, Lauren Greeny, is tied for third on the individual leaderboard ahead of the final 18 holes following a 2-under-par round of 69 that brings her to 1-under-par 141 through 36 holes.
Montana State's first First Team All-Big Sky selection since 2013 tallied four birdies after the turn, including a chip-in on the 17th and a birdie to end the round on the 18th green.
In each of the three tournaments Greeny has won this season, the junior from Pullman, Washington, has trailed by at least three strokes entering the final round.
The bomber will enter Wednesday down two strokes to Maurice and one stroke to Montoya, and told Colter Nuanez of Skyline Sports on Monday that she "enjoys the chase."
After carding a 2-under-par round of 69 on Monday, redshirt senior Scarlet Weidig found more difficult sledding on Tuesday, turning in a 5-over-par 76. The native of Costa Rica still sits in the top-ten, tied for ninth at 3-over-par with a 145 through 36 holes.
Subbing in for Hannah Boraas after sidelined as an alternate on Monday, sophomore Eva Heinz carded a 4-over-par round of 75 to finish as the No. 3 Bobcat on Tuesday.
"We will be focused on a healthy mindset, our game plan and positive vibes," Basye said. "I am super proud of these ladies for playing gritty. If we can tidy up a few holes we will be okay. The message is 'Play for your team. Keep playing.'"
Montana State is seeking their first Big Sky title since 1995, and their first-ever tournament win with more than eight teams participating.
The only two Bobcats to ever win an individual Big Sky title were Paige Crawford in 2013 and Jen McGregor in 1995.
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