Benefits Experienced by the US Women's Amateur Champion
The US Women's Amateur Golf Tournament, a prestigious event that has been around since 1896, offers a unique opportunity for young golfers to make a significant leap in their competitive careers. This year's final, taking place at Bandon Dunes, will see two players battle it out in a 36-hole match play format, with the winner receiving the Robert Cox Trophy and a host of other prizes.
The Robert Cox Trophy, the USGA trophy that has stood the test of time, is a beautiful piece that showcases scenes of St Andrews and a tartan pattern on its base. It is a symbol of the rich history of the tournament, named after a Scot who graduated from the University of St Andrews and became a member of parliament.
The winner of this year's tournament will receive more than just the trophy. They will also earn a gold medal, which they get to keep permanently, alongside a replica of the trophy (the original trophy is kept at the USGA Museum). Their name will be engraved on the USGA Champions’ plaque, which is displayed in the USGA Museum’s Hall of Champions in New Jersey, providing a lasting legacy.
The winner will also gain exemptions into major tournaments. Notably, they will receive an automatic entry to the following year’s US Women’s Open, which will be held at Riviera Country Club for the first time. They will also typically receive invitations to three of the other women's majors: the Chevron Championship, AIG Women’s Open, and the Amundi Evian Championship.
Winning the US Women's Amateur also provides a big boost towards earning an LPGA Tour card through the LPGA LEAP pathway. Players need 20 LPGA LEAP points to secure an LPGA Tour card, and two points are awarded to the US Women's Amateur champion.
Moreover, the tournament offers a great chance to bank World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) points, with a maximum of 25 points available. In 2021, the winner, Rianne Malixi, won 24.6230 WAGR points for her victory.
Lastly, the winner of the 2026 US Women's Amateur tournament will secure an exemption to the next 10 editions of the US Women’s Amateur, as long as they retain their amateur status. They will also receive an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
While there is no direct cash prize for the US Women's Amateur since it is an amateur event, the major financial winnings typically come later when the player competes professionally, such as in tournaments like the AIG Women’s Open, which has a large prize fund for professionals.
In summary, the US Women's Amateur is more than just a golf tournament. It's a stepping stone for aspiring professional golfers, offering prestigious trophies, lifelong recognition, and valuable exemptions into top-level professional events.
The US Women's Amateur tournament, in addition to being a prestigious golf event, also offers a route for golfers to earn an LPGA Tour card through the LPGA LEAP pathway, as two points are awarded to the US Women's Amateur champion. Furthermore, victors in this tournament may also excel in other sports like tennis and sports in general, as they gain exemptions into major tournaments such as the AIG Women’s Open and the Amundi Evian Championship.
