BY JACK RUBIN
Director of Communications - Ohio Golf Association
New Albany, Ohio -- After multiple weather delays and a three-hole playoff, the three qualifiers into the 2025 U.S. Women's Open have been decided.
Thank you to the club staff, membership, and grounds crew at New Albany Country Club for hosting the qualifier!
This year's U.S. Women's Open will take place May 29-June 1 at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wis.
New Albany's Hollenbaugh has full circle moment at New Albany CC
Kary Hollenbaugh has grown up playing at New Albany Country Club for as long as she can remember.
Her father, Paul Hollenbaugh, is the Director of Golf at New Albany Country Club.
On Friday, Kary finished off a 4-under 68 at the place where it all started to claim her spot in the field at Erin Hills later this month.
Hollenbaugh noted that with the home course advantage came some added pressure.
“There was definitely pressure to play here at my home course…I just tried to use that to my advantage and make myself feel comfortable that I know the course pretty well,” she said after her second round.
The junior at Ohio State has won four individual titles already this spring, as well as a made-cut in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Now, she will tee it up against the best in the world in the U.S. Women’s Open.
Looking at what lies ahead at Erin Hills, Kary noted, “It’s unbelievable, it’s so unexpected and I’m just so excited to play on one of the biggest stages at such an amazing golf course. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Before making her first major championship appearance, Hollenbaugh will compete in the NCAA Regional at the Ohio State University Golf Club, May 5-7. The NCAA Division I Championship will be played May 16-21 in California.
16-year-old professional Anna Huang breaks through
Earlier this year, Canada’s Anna Huang turned professional at the age of 16. Huang has had some success playing on the Ladies European Tour circuit, finishing in the top-25 in three events. Now back in the America’s, Huang carded rounds of 73-70 (-1) to earn a spot in the U.S. Women’s Open field.
After the second delay of the day on Thursday at New Albany Country Club, Huang played 10 holes in 4-under before darkness suspended play. This gave the Vancouver native a comfortable cushion at the top of the leaderboard heading into Friday’s resumption of play.
“(That stretch) was definitely really important, I had to really put my game mode on and make some birdies,” Huang acknowledged.
Huang played steady golf throughout the morning and ended up finishing runner-up in the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier.
Deja-vu for Elina Sinz
Last year in U.S. Women’s Open Qualifying, Elina Sinz of Katy, Texas advanced through a 2-for-1 three-hole playoff.
This year in U.S. Women’s Open Qualifying, Elina Sinz of Katy, Texas AGAIN advanced through a 2-for-1 three-hole playoff.
Sinz, 23, shot rounds of 71-74 (+2) to tie for third place with Elizabeth Win (Sylvania, Ohio), forcing a playoff for the one remaining spot.
The former University of Alabama player made par on the third playoff hole to defeat Win, who had put her approach shot in the penalty area.
Now making her second start in the U.S. Women’s Open, Sinz is ready to give it another go after missing the cut the first time around.
“It’s a good redemption moment for me. Last year I didn’t know what I was walking into and it was a little bit of whiplash going from playing college golf to playing in the (U.S. Women’s) Open,” Sinz admitted. “Now I know what to expect and how they’ll set the course up. I feel more prepared than last year.”
For full results from today’s U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier, click
HERE.
For a photo gallery from the action, click
HERE.
For more information on the U.S. Women's Open, click
HERE.
To view the full 2025 Ohio Golf Association USGA Qualifying schedule, click
HERE.
