Romero Earns Silver Medal As Low Amateur At U.S. Women's Open
06/07/26 | Women's Golf
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. - Oregon women's golf junior Kiara Romero put together a stellar final round on Sunday to tie for sixth place overall at the 2026 U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally, earning the silver medal as the low amateur in the field at 3-under par for the week at Riviera Country Club. Â
Competing in her third U.S. Women's Open, Romero made five birdies and just two bogeys in the final round to post a 3-under 68. The three-time, first-team all-American entered Sunday's round at even par and in the top 20 after going 73-70-70 across the first three days.
Romero finished five strokes behind U.S. Women's Open champion Nelly Korda (-8), and one stroke ahead of Maria Jose Marin (-2) to earn low amateur status.Â
With a top-25 finish at a major championship, Romero earns two more points towards the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program. That gives Romero 16 points in the LEAP program, most among current amateurs, needing just four more to get to the 20 required to be eligible for LPGA Tour Membership.
Romero competed at the U.S. Women's Open with her sister and UO assistant coach Kaleiya Romero, who also made the cut after Friday's second round and tied for 49th overall at 7 over. Head coach Derek Radley was Kiara's caddie for the week, and brother Kyreece Romero was on the bag for Kaleiya. Kiara and Kaleiya became just the ninth set of sisters to compete in the U.S. Women's Open in the same year.Â
The No. 1 ranked amateur in the world, Romero earned her third straight WGCA first-team all-America honor after leading Oregon with yet another stellar season as a junior. The San Jose native set the UO single-season record for scoring average for the third year in a row with a miniscule 69.23 mark.Â
Competing in her third U.S. Women's Open, Romero made five birdies and just two bogeys in the final round to post a 3-under 68. The three-time, first-team all-American entered Sunday's round at even par and in the top 20 after going 73-70-70 across the first three days.
Romero finished five strokes behind U.S. Women's Open champion Nelly Korda (-8), and one stroke ahead of Maria Jose Marin (-2) to earn low amateur status.Â
With a top-25 finish at a major championship, Romero earns two more points towards the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program. That gives Romero 16 points in the LEAP program, most among current amateurs, needing just four more to get to the 20 required to be eligible for LPGA Tour Membership.
Romero competed at the U.S. Women's Open with her sister and UO assistant coach Kaleiya Romero, who also made the cut after Friday's second round and tied for 49th overall at 7 over. Head coach Derek Radley was Kiara's caddie for the week, and brother Kyreece Romero was on the bag for Kaleiya. Kiara and Kaleiya became just the ninth set of sisters to compete in the U.S. Women's Open in the same year.Â
The No. 1 ranked amateur in the world, Romero earned her third straight WGCA first-team all-America honor after leading Oregon with yet another stellar season as a junior. The San Jose native set the UO single-season record for scoring average for the third year in a row with a miniscule 69.23 mark.Â
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