BANDON, Ore. — Megha Ganne, the Stanford University standout who first stunned the golf world as a 17-year-old co-leader at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, claimed the crowning achievement of her amateur career on Sunday, defeating Brooke Biermann 4&3 in the 36-hole final of the 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at Bandon Dunes.
In brisk winds gusting to 30 mph on one of America’s most celebrated links, Ganne delivered a performance of poise, trajectory control, and mental resolve well beyond her 21 years—securing her place among the championship’s legendary winners.
A Final Forged in the Wind
From the opening tee shot, the match was a blueprint in links strategy. Ganne’s knocked-down irons and steady putting earned a 3-up lead by the 16th hole of the morning round. Though Biermann threatened early in the afternoon, Ganne managed the elements, reclaiming control and stretching her advantage to 4 up by the 26th.
Closing Out the Championship
The match-turning move came at the par-4 21st, where Ganne sank a 12-foot birdie putt to kill Biermann’s momentum. She then won again at the 23rd and wrapped up the match with a composed par on the 33rd. Notably, she dominated the afternoon session, winning six holes in total.
From Junior Standout to National Champion
Ganne’s triumph caps over a decade of elite amateur golf. Raised in Holmdel, New Jersey by parents of Indian origin, she competed at high levels from age 12 under longtime coach Katie Rudolph. Her accolades include four Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals, being AJGA Girls Player of the Year (2021), and a semifinal run at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
At Stanford, Ganne contributed to Stanford’s 2024 NCAA Team title and won the 2024 Nanea Invitational. She entered the U.S. Am ranked No. 12 in the WAGR and was a top contender for the Annika Award.
Earlier in 2025, she made headlines at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, firing a record-setting opening round 63 at Champions Retreat to take the lead—a career best that underscored her rising stature. She ultimately finished tied for 7th in the event.
Bandon Dunes: The Ultimate Test
The 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur was contested at Bandon Dunes, the ninth USGA championship held on this 6,310-yard, par-72 course designed by David McLay Kidd. The venue demanded every ounce of creativity and strategy. Ganne's ability to shape trajectory, flight her shots, and anticipate rollouts on firm fescue gave her an edge others struggled to find.
What’s Next
With this victory, Ganne gains exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and likely entry into several major championships if she remains an amateur. She also joins an elite list of U.S. Women’s Amateur champions paired with a spot on the U.S. World Amateur Team and the honor of holding the Robert Cox Trophy.
Final Score: Megha Ganne def. Brooke Biermann, 4&3