Asterisk Talley in contention after PGA win

BANDON, Ore. — Oh, look. Asterisk Talley is near the top of the leaderboard yet again.

Since she burst onto the scene last summer with her victories in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball and Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, the 16-year-old from Chowchilla, California, golf fans have grown accustomed to seeing Talley in contention at most of the biggest amateur events in the world, and even some professional ones, too.

That hasn’t changed after the first round of the 2025 U.S. Women’s Amateur. Talley opened in 3-under 69 on Monday at Bandon Dunes and sits T-4 after the morning wave behind a trio of players, including Rianne Malixi, the defending champion of the U.S. Women’s Amateur who beat Talley in the final last year at Southern Hills. Both players have gotten off to excellent starts on the Pacific Coast of Oregon, but Talley doing so on the heels of her latest achievement makes it even more impressive.

Last Friday, she won the Junior PGA Championship in Indiana, one of the biggest title of many in her young career. Now, she’s once again in great position to make match play at another USGA championship.

“I’m doing well,” Talley said Monday after six birdies in her opening round. “I got some sleep coming from Indiana and then got some sleep here. I’ve been fine. Kind of got rested before this week, so I’m feeling pretty good.”

Talley said she doesn’t have her trophy from the Junior PGA with her this week, but the PGA of America is sending her a replica in the mail.

In addition to her USGA title and pair of runner-up finishes last year, Talley also tied for low amateur honors at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open and finished runner-up at the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She also beat then-world No. 1 amateur Lottie Woad in singles at the Curtis Cup. She has made a name for showing up big in the biggest events, and early on this week and off a big victory last week, it seems to be the case again.

But the U.S. Women’s Amateur is not won on Monday or Tuesday. Talley understands the week is a marathon, though getting off to a good start in her first competitive round at Bandon Dunes is encouraging for the remainder of the week.

More: U.S. Women’s Amateur live updates: Scores, first-round tee times, highlights at Bandon Dunes

“I’ve been playing links golf a lot lately,” Talley said, “and just this kind of course. I’m kind of used to it.

“There’s pretty much no trouble off the tee. It’s just, what are you going to do to control the distance around the greens. That’s the biggest difference. I feel pretty good at that by now.”

Talley exudes confidence for someone her age, but she thrives in these championships and moments. USGA events are known as the toughest championship tests in golf, venues and setups that are supposed to strike fear into players and truly separate the best.

Talley has made those events her personal playground. Bandon Dunes is the next chapter in her book. One round of stroke play means nothing come Wednesday. But she’s looking forward to the rest of the week and the challenges she’s presented with.

“It feels great just always coming back to these USGA events,” Talley said. “It’s always so fun. No matter how far I make it.”