LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — With the pressure at a fever pitch under the blazing Arizona sun, Maddie Montoya was the very picture of calm.
Taking a deep breath, the junior from Boise, Idaho, stepped up for a two-foot putt on the 18th green and tapped it in the cup—putting her name in the history books forever.
Buoyed by a unforgettable run down the back nine, Montoya carded a career-best 2-under-par 69 on Wednesday to clinch an individual win at the 2025 Big Sky Women’s Golf Championship, hosted at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park.
In three years as a starter for Montana State, Montoya had never recorded a top-ten individual finish and had never finished with a round under 70.
Wednesday, the Bobcat checked both boxes, weathering the pressure with nerves of steel and erasing a three-stroke deficit over the last eight holes to become Montana State’s third-ever Big Sky individual champion, joining Paige Crawford (2013) and Jen McGregor (1995).
“I was super excited and just having fun throughout the round talking to my playing competitors,” Montoya said of her loose mindset. “I just wanted to stay in it and hopefully wait for a good opportunity.”
With the win, Montoya clinches Montana State’s first-ever appearance at an NCAA Regional. The NCAA Regional Selection Show airs on Golf Channel on Wednesday, April 23, at 11 a.m. MT, and will relay where Montoya gets sent to one of six regionals across the country representing the Bobcats from May 5-7.
“This is a first for our program to get a chance to compete at a NCAA Regionals, and I couldn’t be more excited and proud,” Basye said.
Heading to the 11th tee box, Montoya (-2) trailed Sacramento State’s Caitlin Maurice (-5), but things changed in a hurry when Maurice hit one in the water and took a double bogey.
Maurice followed that up with bogeys on holes 12 and 13, while Montoya carded a par on 12 and a matching bogey on 13 to tie Maurice and teammate Lauren Greeny for the individual lead at 1-under-par.
Then, Montoya smoked a killer drive on the 14th to give herself an eagle chance and a tap-in birdie, before sinking an incredible 25-foot putt for bridie on the par 3 15th hole.
Suddenly, Montoya held a two-stroke lead with three holes to play.
“After Hole 15 when I made that 25-foot-putt for birdie, it really helped me especially going birdie-birdie with 14, it really gave me a lot of confidence,” Montoya said.
Maurice gained a stroke on the 16th with a birdie of her own, cutting the lead to one.
Montoya and Maurice then traded pars on the 17th, setting up a nerve-wracking final hole.
On the 18th, Montoya’s second shot was perfect and true, landing above the hole. Two putts later, the junior was getting doused with water by screaming teammates after matching Maurice’s birdie with one of her own in a stunning display of poise.
Montoya finished the tournament with a 4-under-par 209 (70-70-69), shooting below par on all three days.
“Individually, I knew Maddie and Greeny had a very good opportunity to take home the trophy entering the day,” head coach Brittany Basye said. “Literally down to the last few holes we had them both fighting for a win. Maddie was in the zone and playing very steady. So cool.”
Lauren Greeny, a junior from Pullman, Washington, joined Montoya on the Big Sky All-Tournament Team after tying for fourth overall, carding an even-par 213 (72-69-72).
The First Team All-Big Sky selection matches her fourth-place finish from 2023 with her second career All-Tournament nod.
Montana State finished third as a team on Wednesday, carding a 17-over-par 869 (287-290-292), just one stroke behind runner-up Weber State, who carded a 16-over-par 868 (301-286-281).
Sacramento State won their third straight Big Sky Tournament title, carding a 1-over-par 853 (282-285-286).
“Wow what an exciting finish–I am so proud of this group of ladies,” Basye said. “We knew as a team we needed to play really well to stay up with Sac State. We stayed within reaching distance for a few holes before they pulled away. They are a great golf team.”
Montana State’s third place finish is the second-highest for the Cats at the conference tournament since 1996, and continues a three-year run of finishing in the top-four.
The Cats placed second in 2023 and fourth in 2024.
“This program is here to stay and we will be competing for team and individual championships,” Basye said. “We are going to enjoy this win for Maddie for a few days and then start prepping for Regionals. Keep playing.”
