While the world’s top professionals chase major glory at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally, another compelling storyline is taking shape at Erin Hills — one that involves 25 of the world’s best amateur players.
Each year, the U.S. Women’s Open shines a spotlight on emerging talent. For many amateurs, it’s a career-defining moment — a chance to measure themselves against the world’s best. Several of today’s LPGA stars made their first national impressions as amateurs on this very stage. This year’s group is no different.
From global champions to fearless high school prodigies, here are the amateur stories to watch in Wisconsin:
Carla Bernat Escuder (Spain, 21) – Kansas State
Road to Erin Hills: Winner, 2025 Augusta National Women's Amateur
A senior All-American at Kansas State, Bernat Escuder won the Augusta National Women's Amateur to earn her U.S. Women’s Open debut. A seven-time college winner and Spirit International champion, she also competed in the 2024 Palmer Cup and trained with Victor Garcia, father of Sergio.
Kary Hollenbaugh (USA, 20) – Ohio State
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at New Albany, OH
Ranked inside the WAGR top 20, the four-time high school state champ and 2024 SALLY champion is making her Open debut after a stellar junior season.
Vanessa Borovilos (Canada, 19) – Texas A&M
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at Elgin, IL
The former Drive, Chip & Putt champion won the Chevron Collegiate and tied for fourth in the Patriot All-American to secure her U.S. Open debut with an 8-under qualifying total.
Rayee Feng (USA, 16) – Pingry School (NJ)
Road to Erin Hills: Co-medalist at Hackensack, NJ
Already a two-time AJGA winner and New Jersey Women’s Open champ, Feng joins the U.S. Open field at just 16, following medalist honors alongside LPGA vet Jeongeun Lee5.
Asterisk Talley (USA, 16)
Road to Erin Hills: Runner-up, 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur
T-44 at last year’s U.S. Open, Talley won the Junior Invitational, shared low-am honors, and was runner-up in two USGA championships in 2024 alone.
Lottie Woad (England, 21) – Florida State
Road to Erin Hills: 2024 McCormack Medalist
World No. 1 amateur and ANWA winner, Woad is a Curtis Cup standout and two-time WGCA All-American with elite global experience.
Stay tuned for live updates, scores, and features from Erin Hills throughout championship week.
Brooke Biermann (USA, 22) – Michigan State
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at Belleville, IL
Winner of the 2024 NCAA Palm Beach Regional and the Missouri Women’s Amateur, Biermann qualified for her debut U.S. Open with steady rounds at St. Clair Country Club.
Gabriella Kano (USA, 20) – Nevada
Road to Erin Hills: Co-medalist at Del Paso CC
The Fullerton native and Nevada junior shot 65-70 to share qualifying honors and enters with momentum after winning the 2024 Battle at the Boundary.
Nicha Kanpai (Thailand, 21) – Maryland
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified via playoff at Springfield, VA
A three-time All-Big Ten selection and Thai LPGA winner, Kanpai captured a U.S. Open berth in a tense playoff.
Hazuki Kimura (Japan, 22)
Road to Erin Hills: First alternate added from Japan qualifier
Kimura has LPGA of Japan experience and enters as a late addition from the Boso CC sectional.
Katelyn Kong (USA, 18) – UC Irvine
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at Ojai, CA
The Notre Dame HS alum shot 66 in qualifying and led UC Irvine in scoring as a freshman.
Jude Lee (USA, 17) – Stanford verbal
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified at Soboba Springs, CA
Member of the U.S. National Junior Team and a 4-time AJGA winner, Lee is already committed to Stanford for 2026.
Sophia Lee (USA, 18) – Sacramento State
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified at Del Paso CC
Youth on Course scholar and NorCal junior standout, Lee brings consistency and local pedigree.
Katie Li (USA, 20) – Duke
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified via playoff at Springfield, VA
A returning U.S. Open player and three-time AJGA All-American, Li brings high-level match play experience and college firepower.
Sarah Lim (USA, 18) – Princeton signee
Road to Erin Hills: Co-medalist at Olympic Club
2024 Four-Ball champion with Asterisk Talley and two-time AJGA runner-up, Lim is headed to Princeton in the fall.
Carolina Lopez-Chacarra (Spain, 22) – Wake Forest
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at Duke GC
2023 NCAA team champ and multiple-time All-American, Lopez-Chacarra is one of Europe's most polished amateurs.
Rianne Malixi (Philippines, 18) – Duke signee
Road to Erin Hills: Winner of 2024 U.S. Amateur & U.S. Girls’ Junior
The only player besides E.J. Seong to win both titles in a calendar year, Malixi is a global force with victories in Australia and Korea.
Maria Jose Marin (Colombia, 18) – Arkansas
Road to Erin Hills: NCAA Individual Champion
One of the hottest players in college golf, Marin has five 2024 victories and was the stroke-play medalist at the U.S. Amateur.
Paula Martin Sampedro (Spain, 19) – Stanford
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified at Olympic Club
2024 Pac-12 Player of the Year, WGCA Freshman of the Year, and Augusta National Women's Amateur finalist, Sampedro is a rising force.
Aira Nagasawa (Japan, 17)
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified via playoff in Japan
Winner of the 2024 Japan Junior and Kanto Women’s Amateur, Nagasawa also represented Japan in the Spirit International.
Lauren Nguyen (USA, 21) – Texas A&M
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified via playoff at Belleville, IL
Former Texas Legends Player of the Year, Nguyen advanced in a 3-for-1 playoff to earn her first U.S. Open start.
Farah O’Keefe (USA, 19) – Texas
Road to Erin Hills: Co-medalist at Sugar Mill CC
The 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year returns to the U.S. Open after seven top-10 finishes this season and a win at the UIL state title in 2022.
Emily Odwin (Barbados, 21) – SMU
Road to Erin Hills: Co-medalist at Olympic Club
The first U.S. Open competitor from Barbados, Odwin was runner-up at the 2024 Latin America Women’s Amateur and placed 6th in Australia.
Kiara Romero (USA, 19) – Oregon
Road to Erin Hills: Medalist at Arrowhead GC, OR
2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion and NCAA Regional medalist, Romero has been a consistent presence in top amateur events.
Hana Ryskova (Czech Republic, 26)
Road to Erin Hills: Winner, 2024 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur
The Louisville grad and Mid-Am champ is the first Czech player to win a USGA title.
Andie Smith (USA, 22) – Duke
Road to Erin Hills: Qualified at Duke GC
Winner of the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invite and Round of 32 participant in the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Smith qualifies from her home course.