BANDON, Ore. — The competitive atmosphere intensified at the U.S. Women’s Amateur held at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, where Brooke Biermann from Wildwood faced off against Lyla Louderbaugh from Buffalo in a high-stakes semifinal match.
Match Overview
The match was a gripping contest, culminating in extra holes. Biermann, a recent Michigan State graduate aiming for a professional career post-tournament, managed to hold off Louderbaugh’s impressive comeback, ultimately securing victory after 19 holes.
Turning Points
In a dramatic finish, Biermann was 3 up with only three holes left, but Louderbaugh rallied to win the final three holes. Key performances included Louderbaugh sinking a 10-foot birdie on 17 and a remarkable 30-foot birdie on 18, forcing the match into overtime.
On the first hole of extra play, Louderbaugh struggled, overshooting with her wedge and finding herself with a challenging 5-foot bogey attempt, which she ultimately conceded, handing the match to Biermann.
Previous Matches
Experience played a crucial role for Biermann, who had faced extra holes in two previous matches this week. She navigated a 22-hole second-round match and overcame a missed short putt in the round of 16 to win another in the 19th hole.
In addition to her current success, Biermann claimed the Missouri Women’s Amateur title in 2024 after previously winning in 2023. Louderbaugh, a player at Kansas and graduate of Springfield Catholic, finished tied for third in the Missouri Women’s Amateur earlier this year and was runner-up to Biermann in the 2024 event.
Another Semifinal Showdown
Simultaneously, Megha Ganne secured her place in the championship match by staging a remarkable comeback against Ella Scaysbrook, also pushing their match to 19 holes. Ganne, who was down by 4 with seven holes left, leveled the score leading into the final hole.
The match concluded similarly to the Biermann-Louderbaugh match, with Scaysbrook going over the green at No. 10. Ganne made a precise shot, leaving her with a 6-foot putt that she never had to take, as Scaysbrook conceded after two chips.
Looking Ahead
Today, Biermann will compete against Ganne for the championship title. A win here would not only crown her as champion but also secure her exemption into the prestigious U.S. Women’s Open next year at Riviera. Ganne, a senior-to-be at Stanford, is in pursuit of her first USGA title after previously reaching the semifinals in the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur and earning low amateur honors at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2021.
