Future Stars Take Center Stage: Amateurs Set to Compete at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open
Future Stars Take Center Stage: Amateurs Set to Compete at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open
When the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open tees off at Erin Hills from May 29 to June 1, it won’t just feature the game’s best professionals. This year’s championship will also spotlight these elite amateurs, a collection of the world’s most promising talents who earned their spots through standout victories, qualifying medalist honors, and prestigious exemptions.
These players represent the future of women’s golf: NCAA stars, junior prodigies, and rising international contenders, all getting their chance to compete for one of the game’s most prestigious titles on a central championship stage.
Meet the 25 Amateurs Competing at Erin Hills
Carla Bernat Escuder (Spain) – Kansas State
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion brings a decorated college career and international experience to her U.S. Open debut.Kary Hollenbaugh (USA) – Ohio State
The top-20 WAGR standout qualified as medalist in New Albany, Ohio after winning the 2024 SALLY and dominating the junior ranks.Vanessa Borovilos (Canada) – Texas A&M
Former Drive, Chip & Putt winner and medalist at Elgin, Illinois, Borovilos posted one of the lowest qualifying scores nationwide.Rayee Feng (USA) – Pingry School (NJ)
A 16-year-old AJGA winner and New Jersey Women’s Open champ, Feng tied with Jeongeun Lee5 to co-medal in Hackensack.Asterisk Talley (USA) – High School
After a T44 finish at last year’s U.S. Open, Talley returns as one of the country’s most accomplished juniors, with wins at the Junior Invitational and U.S. Four-Ball.Lottie Woad (England) – Florida State
The world’s No. 1-ranked amateur and reigning ANWA champion leads a deep international contingent in the field.Brooke Biermann (USA) – Michigan State
The 2024 NCAA Palm Beach Regional winner qualified from Belleville, IL, continuing a breakout senior campaign.Gabriella Kano (USA) – Nevada
Co-medalist at Del Paso CC, Kano also captured the 2024 Battle at the Boundary and ranks among the Mountain West’s best.Nicha Kanpai (Thailand) – Maryland
Qualified through a playoff in Virginia and brings pro tour experience from the Thai LPGA and Big Ten success with the Terps.Hazuki Kimura (Japan) – Amateur
Added as an alternate from the Boso CC qualifier, Kimura is a seasoned competitor with LPGA of Japan Tour starts.Katelyn Kong (USA) – UC Irvine
The UC Irvine freshman fired a 66 to medal in Ojai, California, earning her first major start.Jude Lee (USA) – Stanford verbal commit
With multiple AJGA titles and a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team, Lee secured her place at Soboba Springs.Sophia Lee (USA) – Sacramento State
A Youth on Course scholar and Northern California native, Lee advanced out of Del Paso CC.Katie Li (USA) – Duke
Returning to the U.S. Open via a playoff in Springfield, Li is a three-time AJGA All-American and proven match play threat.Sarah Lim (USA) – Princeton signee
The co-medalist at Olympic Club and Four-Ball winner with Talley, Lim heads to Princeton this fall.Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (Spain) – Wake Forest
A former NCAA team champion and standout Curtis Cup player, she medaled at Duke Golf Club to earn her spot.Rianne Malixi (Philippines) – Duke signee
The rare double champion of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior, Malixi is one of the most accomplished players in the field.Maria José Marín (Colombia) – Arkansas
The NCAA individual champion and U.S. Amateur stroke-play medalist arrives in top form after five wins in 2024.Paula Martin Sampedro (Spain) – Stanford
The Pac-12 Player of the Year and ANWA finalist qualified at Olympic Club, continuing a historic freshman campaign.Aira Nagasawa (Japan) – Amateur
After playoff qualification in Japan, Nagasawa enters with recent wins at the Japan Junior and Kanto Women’s Amateur.Lauren Nguyen (USA) – Texas A&M
Survived a 3-for-1 playoff at Belleville to reach her first U.S. Open; a former Texas Legends Player of the Year.Farah O’Keefe (USA) – Texas
Tied for medalist at Sugar Mill and returns to the U.S. Open after a season featuring seven top-10s and a Big 12 Player of the Year nod.Emily Odwin (Barbados) – SMU
Odwin becomes the first player from Barbados to play in the U.S. Women’s Open after co-medaling at Olympic Club.Kiara Romero (USA) – Oregon
The 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion and regional medalist returns to the spotlight after strong performances in Pac-12 play.Hana Ryskova (Czech Republic) – Amateur
The 2024 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur champion and Louisville graduate becomes the first Czech woman to win a USGA title.
Andie Smith (USA, 22) – Duke
Smith secured her U.S. Women’s Open spot at her home course. A senior at Duke, she won the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational and reached the Round of 32 at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
What’s at Stake
For many of these players, competing at the U.S. Women’s Open is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and for others, it could mark the beginning of professional careers. The week at Erin Hills will be a proving ground, and history shows that amateur success at this event often signals a bright future.
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