NAWILIWILI — Baylor University women’s golfer Yurang Li broke a three-way tie for the lead on Wednesday, leading Baylor to the title at the 2025 Rainbow Wahine Invitational, played at the Ocean Course Hokuala.
According to information provided by the Ocean Course Hokuala and the University of Hawaii Sports, Baylor, which held the team lead following Monday’s action, entered the final round three shots behind Santa Clara, which took the team lead following Tuesday’s round of the 54-hole tournament.
Baylor closed the gap behind Li, going 2-under on the front nine, and teammate Malena Castro carded an eagle on the par-5 No. 4. By the end of the three-day tournament, Team Baylor surged ahead to claim the championship at 14-under par, 10 strokes clear of both Santa Clara and Missouri, who shared second place at 4-under.
Baylor shot 277 in the final round, winning the team title with 851. Missouri and Santa Clara tied for second at 860. Yurang Li took medalist honors at 12-under 204 after a final-round 65.
This win marks Baylor’s third title in four years at this event (2021, 2023, 2025)—the first year UH Women’s Golf hosted it on Kauai.
“The Ocean Course Hokuala is absolutely stunning — those finishing holes along the ocean are incredible,” said Baylor Head Coach Jay Goble. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen a more beautiful spot to play golf. Our girls love the vibe in Hawaii. We’ve done well at this event over the years, and when you combine good energy here on Kauai with solid golf, it makes for a great recipe for success.”
Li’s final round 65 and 204 tournament total set new career lows for the transfer to Baylor. Her 65 establishes a new Baylor women’s program record.
Li earned her first collegiate victory with the Bears, pulling away on the back nine along Hawaii’s longest oceanfront stretch at Hokuala. She finished with seven birdies and no bogeys.
“I walked all day with Yurang, and I saw some of the best golf I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been coaching for more than 20 years,” Goble said. “Li got into a zone today. She was making every putt she stood over. It was incredible.”
Tournament host University of Hawaii finished in a tie for 14th place behind golfer Jasmine Wong, who carded a final round even par 72.
Wong finished with a second consecutive 72 for a 2-over 218, marking her second career Top 20 finish.
UH Rainbow Wahine closes out its fall season with the Nanea Invitational, which will be played Oct. 27 through 29 at Nanea Golf Club in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Source: The Garden Island