Romero to Follow Top Amateur Effort at U.S. Women’s Open by Representing United States at the Curtis Cup
Old National-sponsored golfer Kiara Romero delivered a standout performance this past weekend at the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally, earning low-amateur honors, regaining the No. 1 amateur ranking, and reinforcing the momentum behind Team Old National. Competing against the top LPGA professionals on a demanding course, Romero finished at three-under par, tied for sixth place overall.
Romero carded five birdies in the final round Sunday as she vaulted up the leaderboard, finishing just five strokes behind champion Nelly Korda. She was then presented with the silver medal for the lowest amateur score in the field for the week at the Riviera Country Club outside of Los Angeles.
As member of “Team Old National”— Old National’s roster of rising ambassadors which also includes up-and-coming PGA TOUR golfer Michael Brennan — Romero continues to showcase the talent, drive, and performance that the bank is proud to support. Romero continues to test the professional waters, finding her comfort level this summer.
‘Trying to work as hard as I can and enjoy it’
Romero’s tie for sixth represented the best performance by an amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open in nearly a decade.
"I went out there, and I was like, I'm just going to try to shoot as many birdies as I can and attack the pins in the smartest way possible obviously," said the rising University of Oregon senior. "Honestly, I felt like there was no pressure out there to do anything. Kind of just went out there with nothing to lose."
The Curtis Cup and earning an LPGA Tour card
Romero will next represent the U.S. this weekend at the 44th Curtis Cup, another high profile stage where Old National can cheer on one of its sponsored athletes. A biennial team match-play competition between top female amateur golfers from the United States and Great Britain and Ireland, the 44th Curtis Cup begins Friday and runs through Sunday.
The U.S. Women's Open result earned her two more points in the LPGA's Elite Amateur Pathway program, putting her at 16 total. Romero needs 20 points this summer to earn her LPGA membership. She will receive two points for competing at the Curtis Cup, leaving her two shy of an LPGA card, with multiple tournaments remaining on her schedule.
"With me trying to get my tour card through the league program … I didn't think about any of this,” said Romero about staying in the moment. “I kind of just went out there for the experience and just tried to have as much fun as I could. It was a great time with my coach (University of Oregon Head Coach Derek Radley) on the bag. We're always having fun out there. It was really cool."
VIEW KIARA’S FINAL ROUND INTERVIEW
The Curtis Cup runs June 12-14 at the Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif. Coverage begins Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET (live streaming) and 6 p.m. (live TV), with Saturday coverage at 1:30 p.m. (live streaming) and 7 p.m. (live TV), and Sunday at 6 p.m. (live TV), all on the Golf Channel.
To learn more about Old National’s sponsorship of Kiara Romero and Team Old National, click here.
