125th Women’s Western Amateur returns to Red Run Golf Club

Dates: July 14–19, 2025
Venue: Red Run Golf Club, Royal Oak, Michigan

One of amateur golf’s oldest and most prestigious titles was up for grabs in Michigan this summer, as the 125th Women’s Western Amateur returned to Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak.

First played in 1901, the Women’s Western Amateur has been held without interruption for 125 years. The championship is steeped in tradition and has consistently drawn the best talent in amateur and collegiate golf. From Nancy Lopez and Cristie Kerr to recent champions like Jasmine Koo and Farah O’Keefe, the event has long served as a springboard to the highest levels of the game.

Final Recap: Kim Outlasts Rudisill to Win 125th Title

Houston junior Maelynn Kim capped off a gritty and impressive week at Red Run Golf Club with a 1-up victory over Elizabeth Rudisill in Saturday’s championship match to win the 125th Women’s Western Amateur.

Kim never trailed in the match, grabbing a 2-up lead through two holes and maintaining control throughout. She built a 3-up advantage by the 13th hole, highlighted by a spectacular hole-out for eagle from 83 yards on the par-5 9th. Rudisill, an incoming freshman at Vanderbilt, mounted a late comeback by winning the 16th and 17th holes, but Kim sealed the title with a clutch birdie putt on 18 in front of a supportive crowd and her mother, who served as her caddie all week.

“I felt overwhelmed, blessed, and happy. Probably every word you can think of that also means happy,” Kim said. “This win brings a lot of confidence. I had an iffy year at school but started playing better toward the end. Winning this gives me momentum going into next year.”

It was the second major match play title of the summer for Kim, who also won the Women’s Southern Amateur earlier this season. Her path to the Western crown included wins over top-ranked opponents and a 22-hole opening match. She becomes the latest in a long line of notable champions and earns an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes.

Rudisill, competing in her first Western Amateur, exceeded her own expectations with a run to the final. “My goal was just to make match play,” she said. “I definitely exceeded that. I’ve never been in a final like this. I showed some resiliency on 16 and 17 to put pressure on her. I can’t wait to be back next year.”

Match Play Recap

After a dramatic Friday at Red Run, the championship match was set: Houston’s Maelynn Kim faced Vanderbilt commit Elizabeth Rudisill for the 125th Women’s Western Amateur title on Saturday morning.

Kim completed a gritty comeback in her semifinal match against College of Charleston’s Emma Schimpf, rallying from 2-down through 11 holes to win 2 and 1. The Katy, Texas native, who enters her junior season at Houston, delivered one of the week's most resilient performances, including a 22-hole win in the Round of 32 and a 1-up quarterfinal triumph over 2024 runner-up Elise Lee.

Rudisill, a North Carolina native and incoming freshman at Vanderbilt, was dominant in her semifinal, dispatching Michigan State graduate Brooke Biermann, 4 and 3. Her consistent tee-to-green play and strong course management stood out throughout match play.

Match play opened with upsets and drama at Red Run, as both co-medalists were eliminated on Thursday. Defending champion Farah O’Keefe fell in the Round of 16 to Michigan State graduate Brooke Biermann, 5 and 4. Pimchompoo Chaisilprungruang was knocked out in the Round of 32 by South Africa’s Megan Streicher, also by a 5-and-4 margin.

Biermann defeated Iowa State’s Pimkwan Chookaew 1 up in Friday’s quarterfinals before falling to Rudisill in the semis. Kim knocked out Lee in the quarterfinals before staging her comeback against Schimpf. Rudisill’s path included a 2-up quarterfinal win over Texas standout Cindy Hsu.