Kyrinis Leads After Stroke Play; Playoff Decides Final Spots at Homestead

Two rounds are in the books at The Omni Homestead’s Cascades Course, and the 132-player field had been cut down to the brink of match play. The 36-hole cut landed at +18, forcing a six-for-three playoff at 8 a.m. Monday on the 15th hole to determine the final places in the 64-player bracket. Round-of-64 matches began later that morning, with match play continuing through Thursday’s 18-hole championship final.

Day Two Separation
Canada’s Judith Kyrinis, the 2017 champion, delivered the championship’s first under-par score with a 2-under-par 70 on Sunday. Paired with her opening 75, she finished stroke play at 145 (+1) to lead the field by one shot.

“I hit a lot of fairways, which is always good around here,” Kyrinis said. “I improved on some of the course management from yesterday and the putter finally got hot. I could feel the speed of the greens and could see the lines a little bit better.”

One stroke back was Brenda Corrie Kuehn of Asheville, N.C., who closed with a steady 72 (E) after opening with 74, for a total of 146 (+2). Playing in her 62nd USGA championship, Kuehn leaned on experience and finished her round with birdies on the Cascades’ 8th and 9th holes.

“The first five holes are survival for me,” Kuehn said. “After that, it’s time to play golf.”

Three-time champion Lara Tennant of Portland, Ore., posted back-to-back 74s for 148 (+4), placing her three shots behind Kyrinis. Just a stroke further back at 149 (+5) were defending champion Nadene Gole, 2022 winner Shelly Stouffer, and Judy Penman of Pinehurst, N.C.

“It’s wonderful to be part of this USGA family,” Gole said. “It’s nice to hear them say ‘Defending champion’—I quite like the ring to that.”

Notables & Local Angle

• Virginia representation: Two of the five Virginians advanced—Amy Ellertson of Free Union (+17) and Kristin Shifflett of Fredericksburg (+16).

• Champions through: Seven-time USGA champion Ellen Port, 2023 champion Sarah Gallagher, and three-time runner-up Sue Wooster all advanced to match play.

• History at Homestead: All four competitors who played in the 1994 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Homestead—Port, Kathy Hartwiger, Tracy Welch, and Corey Weworski—made the cut. Of the seven who teed it up here in the 2009 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur, three advanced this year: Kim Eaton, Mary Jane Hiestand, and Lisa McGill.

• Biggest turnarounds: Stefani Markovich (Canada) and Adele Peterson (Minn.) each shaved seven strokes off their opening rounds on Sunday to secure match play spots.

• Consistency: Kim Eaton, who has played in every U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur since debuting at The Homestead in 2009, advanced again after rounds of 76–82.

A Personal Note
I was on the grounds early Monday morning ahead of the playoff, and seeing the level of talent firsthand was nothing short of remarkable. Watching these women practice underscored just how deep and competitive this field is.

What’s Next

• 8:00 a.m. ET Monday – Six players for three spots in a playoff on hole 15.

• 9:00 a.m. ET – Match play begins with the Round of 64.

I’ll have more updates in tomorrow’s report as the bracket play unfolds. Stay tuned to our website and our Facebook page for continuing coverage of the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

Allegheny Mountain Radio thanks the USGA media team for access and support, and The Omni Homestead for the accommodations that made this coverage possible.