The 21-year-old has enjoyed a strong run in college golf at Mississippi State. This past season, she recorded her best collegiate finish—a T3 at the Chevron Collegiate—and posted five rounds in the 60s along with 11 at par or better, both personal bests. She also earned SEC Academic Honor Roll honors in her freshman year and became only the 15th freshman in program history to shoot a round in the 60s.

Before college, Whateley gained experience on both amateur and professional stages. In 2023, she claimed victory at the Cobra & Puma Ladies & Junior Championship and competed in the Investec South African Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour. Though she missed the cut, the experience added valuable depth to her growing maturity as a competitor.

Tying for second at 5-under 211 were two future college standouts. Leah Edwards, who will join Western Kentucky University this fall, recorded rounds of 73-68-70. She was joined by Ellie Hildreth, a North Carolina State commit, who posted 69-73-69. Edwards has had a busy summer—just two weeks earlier, she qualified for the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship and will compete at the Atlanta Athletic Club in July.

For Whateley, this victory is more than just a trophy—it’s a marker of her growth and proof that she belongs among the top amateur players. And come August at Bandon Dunes, she’ll have a bigger stage to show it.