3 Things to Know: Sunday at 80th U.S. Women's Open

The 80th U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally has certainly been a celebration of the depth and breadth of talent in women’s golf. When play began Thursday at Erin Hills, 29 countries in addition to the United States were represented in the field. Players from 19 of those countries made the cut to play the weekend, led by the United States with 12, Korea with 11 and Japan with 10.

And the leader board going into Sunday’s final round truly spans the globe, with Sweden, Spain, Japan and the United States in the top six. Of those six, only Hinako Shibuno, Mao Saigo and Nelly Korda have won a major championship. That should make for a volatile final round – and a lot of fun for viewers.

Here are 3 things to look for in Sunday’s final round:

Worth the Trip

Among the many great things about the U.S. Women’s Open is that about half of those in the field earned their spot by going to a qualifier. For them, picking up a share of the $12 million total purse – the largest in women’s golf – would make for a lucrative payday.  While all eyes are on Julia Lopez Ramirez, a qualifier sitting in second place, there are a few others to watch on Sunday.

Keep an eye out for Hailee Cooper, Amari Avery and Aline Krauter. Those are three qualifiers who could have a very nice weekend. Cooper and Krauter are positioned nicely, both at 215 and with a chance at a top-10 finish. Avery, who is at 220, is especially notable since she had to borrow Gabriela Ruffels’ clubs for the second round because hers were lost after fleeing a break-in at her Airbnb rental place.

Lurkers

The raging question going into the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open is how far back is too far to have a realistic chance to win. Certainly, the top six are bunched within three strokes and any of them could end up hoisting the trophy on Sunday evening.

And while having to ask for a little help from six players is a lot to ask, 2022 U.S. Women’s Open champion Minjee Lee at 213, four strokes off the lead, is an ominous name to have looking over your shoulder. Lee is tied for seventh with Linn Grant and Sarah Schmelzel, both of whom shot in the 60’s in Friday’s second round. And that’s probably as far back as you need to look to find contenders.

Low Amateur

Six of the 26 amateurs in the field made the cut for the weekend and going into Sunday the best of them is 16-year-old Rayee Feng at 217, eight strokes off the lead. She’s followed by Lottie Woad (218), Caroline Lopez-Chacarra (219), Farah O’Keefe (220), Maria Jose Marin (222) and Kiara Romero (229). Feng will be paired with LPGA Tour Hall of Famer Lydia Ko for Sunday's final round.

There is a lot of USGA experience in this hearty half-dozen. Marin was a semifinalist in the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior and in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and Romero is the 2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior champion. Woad, who is No. 1 in the Women's World Amateur Golf Ranking, could certainly make a move. The race for low amateur will be the game within the game, well worth watching.

Ron Sirak is an award-winning Massachusetts-based golf writer whose work has previously appeared on USGA websites and publications.