DuPont, Washington – The opening round of the 95th LNGA Amateur Championship proved one thing: the road to the George III Champion Trophy is going to be a global battle—and it’s heating up right in the backyard of the Washington Huskies.
University of Washington standouts Amber Li (sophomore) and Kennedy Knox (recent graduate) are tied at the top after firing matching 3-under-par 69s at The Home Course. The duo, both Seattle locals, are enjoying a rare luxury this week: playing elite championship golf close to home so far, it’s paying off.
Sharing the lead is high schooler Rebecca Wang, a Beijing native who has traveled stateside for the summer to compete. Currently ranked No. 131 in the AJGA World Rankings and committed to Northwestern University, Wang showcased polished play well beyond her years.
Just one shot back, the leaderboard grows even more international with a logjam at 2-under-par 70. That group includes three players from Taiwan, one from Singapore, and one American.
Among them is Huai-Chien “Cindy” Hsu, currently the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 42 in the WAGR. The University of Texas star finished T-4 at the 2024 LNGA Championship and went on to win last year’s inaugural Women’s Elite Amateur Cup. Hsu is once again proving she belongs among the best.
Joining her at 70 are:
- Nena Wongthanavimok – senior at the University of Arizona from Bangkok, Thailand
- Aamiya Koul – 14-year-old prodigy from Singapore dreaming of U.S. college golf
- Mia Nixon – the Texas native with a knack for putting herself in the mix at big-time amateur events
Rounding out the top ten are two polished competitors sitting at one under par 70. Caroline Smith, from Indiana University, has had a strong showing during the Women’s Elite Amateur Series this summer. She is joined by former University of Texas standout, Bentley Cotton, who finished runner up at the 2024 LNGA Amateur Championship.
The top of the leaderboard has it all—geography, age, and emerging stars. The field reflects the mission of the LNGA which is to provide an elite playing opportunity for women golfers from all backgrounds. As day two gets started on Wednesday, all eyes will be on the packed leaderboard which has 13 players within three strokes of the lead.
About the Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA)
Founded in 1927, the LNGA is a national, volunteer-led women’s amateur golf association dedicated to promoting the game, conducting an elite championship, and upholding sportsmanship and camaraderie. LNGA champions include LPGA stars, USGA titleholders, and legends of the game.
Contact Information:
For media inquiries, please contact:
Tobi Herron
LNGA Board of Director, Communications Committee
Email: Ladiesnationalgolf@gmail.com
Website: https://ladiesnationalgolf.org
