One of the most prestigious championships in women’s amateur golf returns today for the 126th Women’s Western Amateur, scheduled for July 7 through 11 at River Forest Country Club in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Established in 1901, the Women’s Western Amateur is one of the longest continuously contested championships in amateur golf. The tournament annually attracts many of the top collegiate and amateur players from around the world and is recognized by the World Amateur Golf Ranking and the Women’s Elite Amateur Golf Series.

The championship field is limited to 120 players with a World Handicap System handicap index of 3.4 or lower. Competitors will play 36 holes of stroke play qualifying on July 7 and 8 before the field is reduced to the low 32 players for match play. If a tie exists for the final qualifying position, a sudden elimination playoff will determine the last spot in the bracket.

Match play begins July 9 with the Round of 32 and Round of 16. Quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for July 10 before the championship match concludes the tournament on July 11.

The champion will receive exemptions into the next 10 Women’s Western Amateur Championships, provided she remains eligible, along with an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur.

Maelynn Kim captured the 2025 Women’s Western Amateur title, defeating Elizabeth Rudisill in the championship match. Brooke Biermann and Emma Schimpf reached the semifinals, while Elise Lee, Kylee Choi, Pimkwan Chookaew and Huai Chien Cindy Hsu advanced to the quarterfinals. Farah O’Keefe and Kaitlyn Zermeno Smith finished among the Round of 16 competitors.

The championship’s list of past winners includes LPGA major champions and Hall of Fame players such as Nancy Lopez, Cristie Kerr, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn, highlighting the tournament’s longstanding role in showcasing future stars of the game.

Competition week begins July 6 with player registration and practice rounds before stroke play qualifying starts on July 7. The championship match is scheduled for the morning of July 11, followed by the trophy presentation.

Sources:

Women’s Western Amateur: https://womenswesternamateur.com/about

AmateurGolf.com: https://www.amateurgolf.com/amateur-golf-tournaments/1299/Women-s-Western-Amateur-Championship