Megan Schofill is one of the three low amateurs (USGA Photo)

In the end, the battle for low-amateur honors ended in a stalemate. Catherine Park of Irvine, Calif., Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla, Calif., and Megan Schofill of Monticello, Fla., all finished their week at Lancaster Country Club at 12-over pr 292 after rounds of 78, 73, and 74, respectively.

Adela Cernousek of France closed with an 8-over 78 to finish the week at 15-over par 285. Cernousek won the 2024 individual women's NCAA championship.

Playing to 6,382 yards on Sunday, the William Flynn-designed layout at Lancaster Country Club delivered one heavy blow after another, as it did throughout the week.
Just three players finished the week under par. Yuka Saso claimed her second Women’s Open title with a 72-hole total of 4-under par 276.

“Today was a bit rough,” Park said, “but it's the U.S. Open, it's going to get you. It's just something you've got to fight through. It was a great experience, so nothing I'll ever trade for.”

Schofill, the reigning U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, acknowledged the course’s demands in the wake of her first Women’s Open appearance. Schofill is currently ranked No. 6 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings. 

“I really didn't know what to expect with the golf course,” she said. “I knew it would have thick, rough, fast greens, but this golf course just really tested every part of my game, from tee ball to short putts to chipping.

“There was no part of it that was not tested, and I think it really taught me a lot of what I need to work on, what I'm doing well, and just really how to stay patient and focus and be okay with having a bogey.”

Talley, at 15, the youngest player in the field, said she learned some things about her golf game over the course of the week.

‘I can make par from anywhere,” she said. “My dad used to always tell me that all the time. I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, whatever.’ But I had so many putts yesterday, three-putts everywhere, and I probably had like 20 putts today, but they were all for par.

“But I missed a bunch of fairways. My irons weren't working today very well, but I made like all of my par putts almost. It was pretty crazy out there. Yeah, I can make par from anywhere, basically.”

Schofill acknowledged where her game needs improvement.

“I feel like I need to get a little bit more consistent with the putter as a whole,” she said. “I think it just really allowed for me to have a little bit more confidence and play a little bit more free. Just knowing that I can compete with the best professional golfers.

“But my plan is to stay an amateur for the rest of the summer and turn pro sometime in the fall.

Park, who is looking ahead to the Palmer Cup, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and perhaps the Curtis Cup, called the week a learning experience as well.

“It's so tough out here,” she said. “It's different than any amateur golf or college golf. It is a U.S. Open. Even though I'm an amateur, the support is amazing. So much cheering out here. You can see that this is what you're going to work hard for.”