The 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur is underway at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., and the competition is fierce. With only five spots remaining on the United States Curtis Cup team, players are eager to make their mark and earn a spot on the prestigious team. Among those hoping to play their way onto the team is Rachel Kuehn, who dominated her match in the round of 64 with a 7-and-5 victory. She will be facing the top overall seed Maria Jose Marin in the next round. Kuehn had the clinching point in the 2022 Curtis Cup and is currently the highest-ranked American not on the team, making her a strong contender for a spot.
LSU graduate Latanna Stone, runner-up of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur, also won her match, as did Auburn sophomore Anna Davis, Oregon sophomore Kiara Romero, Texas sophomore Farah O’Keefe, and USC sophomore Bailey Shoemaker who defeated the top-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Additionally, juniors Gianna Clemente and Asterisk Talley emerged victorious in their opening matches. There is a noticeable trend of younger players aiming to make their mark and earn a spot on the Curtis Cup team through a strong performance in the tournament.
While younger players are making a strong impression, there are also veterans in the competition who are vying for a final chance to play on the Curtis Cup team. Players like Schofill, Amanda Sambach, British Women’s Amateur winner Melanie Green, and former Furman standout Anna Morgan are among those hoping to secure one of the coveted spots. With more than 10 players in contention for the five remaining spots on the team, the competition is intense and every match becomes crucial in determining who will ultimately make the cut.
The stakes are high for all players competing in the U.S. Women’s Amateur, as the winner, if American, secures an automatic spot on the Curtis Cup team. This adds an extra layer of pressure and motivation for the players to perform at their best and strive for a deep run in the tournament. Meghan Stasi, the captain of the Curtis Cup team, will have a tough decision to make in selecting the final roster, especially with so many talented players vying for the remaining spots. The competition will only intensify as the tournament progresses, and the field narrows down to determine who will represent the United States.
After the first three days of competition at Southern Hills, there are still numerous players in contention for a spot on the Curtis Cup team. Thursday’s two rounds of competition will provide further clarity on which players are emerging as strong contenders and who will ultimately secure a spot on the team. With a mix of experienced veterans and up-and-coming young talents, the competition at the U.S. Women’s Amateur is heating up, and every match becomes crucial in determining who will earn a spot on the prestigious Curtis Cup team. The players are giving it their all on the course, showcasing their skills and determination as they vie for a chance to represent their country in the upcoming Curtis Cup tournament.
