PURE POWER—Westlake High senior Danielle Kang launches a long drive from the 14th tee during Tuesday’s CIF-SS Northern Individual Regional at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai. Danielle Kang’s amazing season on the links just got a little better.

The Westlake High senior fired a 4-under-par 68 Tuesday afternoon at Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai to tie for first place through 18 holes at the CIFSouthern Section Northern Individual Regional.

On the first playoff hole, Kang’s par putt was enough to defeat Emily Tubert of Burroughs High, giving Kang the outright championship.

“I’m playing pretty well these days,” said Kang, whose scorecard included four birdies and an eagle. “I had a good talk with my dad over the summer, and now I’m starting to play some actual golf.”

During her first two years of high school, Kang played on the boys’ team at Oak Park—the Eagles don’t have a girls’ golf squad. She sat out last season after transferring to Westlake. This year, the Pepperdine-bound standout helped the Warriors breeze to a Marmonte League regular-season title.

Danielle Kang “It’s a lot different playing with the girls instead of the guys,” she said. “Guys are a little meaner. It’s more fun competing against the girls. I’m just trying to have fun, to be more laid back out there.”

Kang was one of four Marmonte golfers to qualify for next Thursday’s CIF Individual Final at Talega Golf Club in San Clemente.

Westlake freshman Lauren Diaz-Yi posted an even-par 72; Shannon Holden of Royal notched a 79, and Agoura sharpshooter Katherine Liu tallied an 80 to advance.

TALENT—Warrior freshman Lauren Diaz-Yi shot an evenpar 72 on Tuesday to advance. The cutoff was 81.

“Overall, I played some decent golf,” said Liu, a senior who shot a 76 at the same event last season. “There were a few careless mistakes out there, and that’s what made my score a little high.”

Holden, a 14-year-old freshman, was able to hold her own against some of the top upperclassmen in the section.

“I just went out there and tried to do my best,” Holden said. “I’m happy with how I played.”

Several locals were unable to advance, including Oaks Christian’s Remylee Molyneux (84) and Tiffany Meinert (96), Westlake’s Charlotte Gibson (91) and La Reina’s Makenna Cox (87).

Some of the girls will take part in today’s CIF-SS Northern Team Divisional at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande. The shotgun start begins at 10 a.m.