U.S. Women's Open: Low amateur Kiara Romero finishes T6

June 8, 2026 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Of the 24 amateurs in the field, 5 made the cut. But only Romero earned her way into the next one

Report by Matthew Fehr, for AmateurGolf.com

Of the 24 amateurs in the field at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club, five made the weekend. Here’s a recap of how they fared.

Kiara Romero

The rising Oregon senior was the low amateur of the week, finishing at 3-under-par 281 and tied for sixth, the best finish by an amateur since Hye-Jin Choi finished runner-up in 2017 at Trump National Bedminster. Romero, the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, birdied Nos. 16 and 17 to post an even-par 71 and secure low amateur honors. And while there was no share of the purse for Romero, her finish earned her a spot in the 2027 U.S. Women's Open, provided she is still an amateur. We could all take a bit of inspiration from her mental approach to what for many would be a pressure-packed Sunday under the spotlight.

“I wasn’t thinking about it at all during my round. I was just trying to have as much fun as I could,” Romero said.

Romero had her college coach, Derek Radley, on the bag, who even missed his flight back to Eugene to watch Romero receive the low amateur medal during the trophy ceremony. Romero will remain in Los Angeles for another week as she prepares to compete in next week’s Curtis Cup at Bel-Air Country Club.

Maria Jose Marin

Marin began the day tied for low amateur and, after playing her first 15 holes in 1-over par, made a late charge with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to move to 1-under for the day and 3-under for the tournament. After her approach on the 18th came up short of the green, Marin chipped to seven feet, giving herself a par putt and a chance to tie Romero for low amateur honors. The putt slid left of the hole, and the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion finished at 2-under-par 282, good for a tie for eighth.

Marin will now have the opportunity to return to Arkansas for her senior season or turn professional.

Aphrodite Deng

Beginning the day tied for low amateur, Deng birdied the opening hole but managed just two more birdies the rest of the way to go along with four bogeys. The 16-year-old Canadian, who won the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship, finished the tournament at even-par 284, good for 17th place.

Deng will next look to defend her junior title at Old Chatham Golf Club in July.

Asterisk Talley

After her third-round 66 set the record for the lowest weekend round ever by an amateur in U.S. Women’s Open history, the No. 7-ranked amateur in the world saw her putter cool off Sunday, failing to make a birdie after the seventh hole. Talley finished the championship at 2-over-par 286, tying for 22nd.

Talley will join Romero at Bel-Air next week as a member of Team USA for the Curtis Cup.

Farah O’Keefe

Just 13 days after winning the 2026 NCAA Women’s Individual Championship at nearby Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, the rising Texas senior posted a four-round total of 4-over-par 288 to finish tied for 34th.

O’Keefe will continue her Los Angeles golf tour next week, joining Talley and Romero on Team USA at the Curtis Cup.

“I’ve learned so much these past few weeks. It feels like a dream,” O’Keefe said following her round.

Results: U.S. Women's Open

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
T6	Kiara Romero	San Jose, CA	1200	73-70-70-68=281
T8	Maria Jose Marin	, Colombia	1200	70-73-68-71=282
T17	Aphrodite Deng	, Canada	900	70-73-68-73=284
T22	Asterisk Talley	Chowchilla, CA	800	71-75-66-74=286
T34	Farah O'Keefe	Austin, TX	700	74-71-70-73=288

View full results for U.S. Women's Open

About the U.S. Women's Open

U.S. Women's Open: Low amateur Kiara Romero finishes T6

The U.S. Women's Open has the biggest payout in women's golf. It is one of 15 annual championships conducted by the USGA. The event is open to any professional or amateur female golfer. There is a handicap limit for amateurs; for the 2024 event it wa...