Kansas junior Lyla Louderbaugh has built a standout collegiate career through poise, power, and a mature competitive mindset. The three time Missouri State Champion and former Missouri Junior Player of the Year became the first Kansas player to win an NCAA Regional in 2025, advanced to the semifinals at the United States Women’s Amateur, and continues to set scoring benchmarks for the Jayhawks.
Louderbaugh is ranked No. 4 seed in United States Women’s Amateur match play in 2025 and remains one of Kansas golf’s most reliable performers through her disciplined routine, composed temperament, and elite match play results.
Career Highlights
NCAA History
First Kansas player to win an NCAA Regional
Set Kansas record for lowest regional score with 204 at NCAA Columbus Regional
Led Kansas to NCAA Championship appearance
Qualified for the United States Women’s Amateur in 2023, 2024, and 2025
United States Women’s Amateur
2025 Bandon Dunes
Reached semifinals
Defeated No. 1 WAGR player Kiara Romero in quarterfinal playoff
Narrow 19 hole loss to Brooke Biermann in semifinals
2024 United States Women’s Amateur
Qualified for 124th championship
Also qualified for 125th championship and reached final four
Kansas Career Snapshot
2024 to 2025 Sophomore Season
Academic All Big 12 First Team
WGCA All American Scholar
Eleven events played
Scoring average 72.8
Eleven rounds under par and five rounds in the sixties
Six top twenty finishes and three top tens
NCAA Columbus Regional champion at twelve under
2023 to 2024 Freshman Season
WGCA All American Scholar
Academic All Big 12 Rookie Team
Ten events played
Scoring average 73.9
Three top twenty finishes
T14 at Match in the Desert at two under
Lowest Kansas freshman round ever with a 67 at the UNM Dick McGuire
Qualified for United States Women’s Amateur
Won Kansas Women’s Amateur and CLG Women’s Match Play
Junior and High School
Missouri Junior Player of the Year
Three time Missouri State Team Champion
Missouri high school scoring record with a seven under 63
Qualified for United States Girls Junior Amateur
Interview Highlights with CGN
Path into golf
Louderbaugh began playing at age five or six with plastic kids clubs. Her parents encouraged early course time and later provided a United States Kids set that allowed her interest to take off. She credits local junior tours and the Missouri Golf Association for creating opportunities that shaped her development.
Missouri roots
Raised in a small town, Louderbaugh grew up in a competitive high school program where four of the five starters went Division One. The environment strengthened her work ethic and passion. She remains grateful to her community and the support she received across Missouri.
Why Kansas
Kansas was one of the first programs to follow her early in junior golf. Although many in Missouri wished she joined the in state rival, her family did not grow up rooting for Missouri and she always kept Kansas in mind. The opportunity, culture, and trust built with the coaching staff guided her decision.
Transition to college
Louderbaugh credited her teammates, coaches, and athletic support staff for easing the move from a small town to a major university. Staying tightly connected with her family helped her manage the early adjustment. Strong academics and a reliable support network made the process smooth.
Freshman year performance
A strong summer before her first season carried into the fall. Louderbaugh approached her freshman year with no expectations and quickly delivered three top twenty finishes, a Kansas freshman scoring record with a 67, and consistent tournament play. She rebounded from an early round of 80 with a closing 67 at her debut event, jump starting her confidence.
Handling adversity on the course
Louderbaugh focuses on her strengths, trusts her ability to get up and down, and emphasizes a consistent routine. She avoids emotional reactions and stays mellow to remain steady after mistakes. Maturity and experience have improved her ability to reset quickly.
Her routine
She incorporates visualization, breathing, and a structured sequence before each shot. Louderbaugh visualizes the shot behind the ball, closes her eyes for a final image, takes a deep breath, and steps into the shot with full commitment.
United States Women’s Amateur run
Louderbaugh earned her 2025 spot by winning the Kansas Women’s Amateur at Mission Hills. Preparation centered on knockdown shots and short putting for match play, particularly with Bandon Dunes wind conditions.
Against Kiara Romero, the No. 1 WAGR player, Louderbaugh embraced the challenge:
“Someone has to take her down and it is going to be me.”
She closed out the match and advanced to the semifinals, later falling to Brooke Biermann in a tight 19 hole playoff after rallying from three down with three to play.
Competitive mindset
She respects opponents but does not let rankings influence her approach. Louderbaugh sees match play as a test of survival and embraces pressure. She remains aware of adrenaline and adjusts for it when possible, acknowledging that experience in pressure situations is key.
Outlook
Louderbaugh continues to elevate Kansas golf through her consistency, composure, and major championship experience. Her disciplined approach, elite match play record, and upward scoring trend point to another strong spring and a return to national contention.