Megha Ganne Claims U.S. Women’s Amateur Glory
Stanford senior conquers Bandon Dunes with poise and precision
Las Vegas - Megha Ganne secured the biggest individual title of her career by defeating Brooke Biermann 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final of the 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon. The 21-year-old from Holmdel, New Jersey, added her name to the Robert Cox Trophy and became the fourth player with Stanford ties to lift the coveted prize.
The rising senior, already a three-time NCAA team champion with Stanford, never trailed against Biermann, a 2025 Michigan State graduate, in breezy and testing coastal conditions. By winning, Ganne earns exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open and the USA Women’s World Amateur Team, joining a roll call of past champions including Babe Zaharias, Juli Inkster and Rose Zhang.
“It’s so crazy,” Ganne said. “It’s so much harder than it seems to win one of these, and it takes not only a lot of patience, but so many things working in your favour… it feels like it’s fate.”
This triumph capped a summer of standout play. She toppled three top-20 players en route to the final and rallied from four down with seven to play in her semi-final. Biermann, in her last amateur start before LPGA Qualifying School, fought gamely but could not overcome a cold putter.
Two putts on the 35th hole sealed victory for Ganne, prompting an emotional celebration with family, coaches and friends. She will now return to Stanford with the trophy, joining teammate Paula Martin Sampedro in delivering a summer of silverware for the Cardinal. “I really do love being in the spotlight,” Ganne said. “I think it brings out the best in my game.”