Bandon Dunes, Oregon, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Megha Ganne, a rising star at Stanford, secured the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes with a decisive victory over Brooke Biermann. The tournament showcased Ganne’s impressive comeback skills and ability to maintain composure under pressure, culminating in a 4&3 win in the final match. Her remarkable journey through the tournament included overcoming higher seeds and earning exemptions for major future tournaments.
Bandon, Oregon — Megha Ganne Stuns Field to Win 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur
Big win, bigger story: a college star, a comeback and a dominant final
It was the kind of week that makes golf fans lean in. Stanford rising senior Megha Ganne captured the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur at the windswept Bandon Dunes layout and walked away with a national title that will be talked about for seasons. On a testing 6,310-yard, par-72 course designed by David McLay Kidd, Ganne took control early in the championship match and closed out 22-year-old Brooke Biermann with a decisive 4&3 victory.
The tournament had everything: seed upsets, heart-stopping comebacks and a final where Ganne built a lead, survived pressure, and finished the job. She came into match play as the 11th seed and methodically knocked off high-ranked opponents along the way. Notable scalps included a Round of 32 win over No. 14 Anna Davis, a Round of 16 victory against No. 20 Kary Hollenbaugh, and a quarterfinal win over No. 6 Eila Galitsky.
Drama peaked in the semifinals, where Ganne appeared headed for the exit after falling four down with seven holes to play. What followed was a gutsy charge that forced extra holes and ultimately produced a 19-hole triumph that set up the title match. In the final, she grabbed an early lead, surged to a 3-up edge by lunch after stringing together three straight holes, and reclaimed decisive control on the par-4 11th to seal the championship before the back nine finished.
A title with perks and a busy stretch on the calendar
Winning the U.S. Women’s Amateur brings more than just a trophy. Ganne earns exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and she joins an elite roll call of past champions while taking home the Robert Cox Trophy as part of the prize package.
The victory also kicked open a busy professional calendar. Ganne received a sponsor’s exemption into the LPGA’s FM Championship and teed off there at 1:43 p.m. ET on Thursday, playing alongside Xiaowen Yin and Ina Yoon. This outing represented her seventh LPGA start overall and her bid to make a second LPGA cut after an earlier standout – a tie for 14th at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open. The run of amateur and pro appearances shows a golfer balancing college life, elite amateur events, and steps into the pro ranks.
Life off the course — and some down-to-earth moments
Off the course, the week had a human touch. Ganne spent time in Boston to help her sister move into Harvard and found moments to enjoy local seafood like lobster rolls and oysters before heading to Oregon for the championship. Those small life moments framed the bigger achievement that followed, a reminder that top college players juggle normal life and elite competition at the same time.
Form and momentum
Ganne arrived in 2025 with momentum. She posted a career-best opening round of 63 at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier in the year, and that low-round confidence clearly carried into match play. Her path through the bracket included key wins over higher seeds and a dramatic semifinal comeback that showed resilience. In the final, her ability to take the initiative early and protect a multi-hole lead proved decisive on the challenging Bandon Dunes routing.
Course and conditions
Bandon’s seaside ground is known for firm turf, swirling winds and angles that punish timid shots. At 6,310 yards and par 72, the layout rewarded bold play and punished mistakes — a classic David McLay Kidd design. Ganne’s game held up in the testing weather, and she found ways to score when it mattered most.
With her USGA title tucked under her belt, Ganne will carry exemptions and reputational momentum into future national fields, including the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and another trip to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. For golf fans who enjoy watching college talent step onto national stages, this is a player to follow closely.
What to watch next
Keep an eye on her LPGA starts and the majors she has earned through this victory. The mix of college golf, elite amateur events and LPGA appearances makes for an intriguing development arc. The ingredients that produced the U.S. Women’s Amateur title — nerve, short-game scrappiness and the ability to rally from deep trouble — are the same qualities that translate to success in pro golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur?
Megha Ganne, a 21-year-old rising senior at Stanford University, won the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
Where was the championship played?
The championship was played at Bandon Dunes in Oregon, on a 6,310-yard, par-72 course designed by David McLay Kidd.
What was the final match score?
Ganne defeated Brooke Biermann with a score of 4&3 in the championship match.
What exemptions did Ganne earn with this victory?
The win provides exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and she received the Robert Cox Trophy as part of the title.
Did Ganne play on the LPGA after her win?
Yes. She received a sponsor’s exemption into the LPGA’s FM Championship and teed off at 1:43 p.m. ET on Thursday alongside Xiaowen Yin and Ina Yoon.
Quick Facts Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Megha Ganne (Stanford University) |
| Runner-up | Brooke Biermann |
| Final Score | 4&3 |
| Course | Bandon Dunes (David McLay Kidd design) |
| Yardage / Par | 6,310 yards / Par 72 |
| Key Wins En Route | Anna Davis (R32), Kary Hollenbaugh (R16), Eila Galitsky (QF) |
| Semifinal | Recovered from 4 down with 7 to play to win in 19 holes |
| LPGA Appearance | FM Championship via sponsor’s exemption; teed off 1:43 p.m. ET Thursday |
| Notable Past Result | Tied 14th at 2021 U.S. Women’s Open; 63 opening round at 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur |
| Exemptions Earned | 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, Augusta National Women’s Amateur |
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Additional Resources
- LPGA: Megha Ganne Wins U.S. Women’s Amateur
- Golfweek: Megha Ganne Wins at Bandon Dunes
- Golf.com: Rapid Fire with Megha Ganne
- AmateurGolf.com: Ganne Captures U.S. Women’s Amateur Title
- Golf Digest: Megha Ganne on The Loop Podcast
- Wikipedia: Megha Ganne
- Google Search: Megha Ganne
- Google Scholar: Megha Ganne
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Megha Ganne
- Google News: Megha Ganne
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