Brooke Biermann never hesitated.
The 2021 Lafayette High grad and former Michigan State University golf standout turned in the performance of a lifetime last week in the 125th U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon.
Biermann finished as runner-up in a field that featured more than 150 of the best non-professional women’s golfers from around the world.
“It was probably the highest level of golf I’ve ever played,†the 22-year-old Biermann said, “especially with the challenges of the course.â€
Her father, Bill, who caddied for Brooke during the six-day affair, said it was his daughter’s finest moment.
“To date, this is her biggest accomplishment,†Bill said. “No doubt.â€
Brooke won five successive match play contests before falling to Megha Ganne of Holmdel, New Jersey, 4 and 3 in the 36-hole championship match. Ganne, who attends Stanford University, snapped a tie with wins on Nos. 12-14 to go in front to stay.
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Megha Ganne hugs Brooke Biermann after Ganne won the Championship 4 and 3 at the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore. on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025.Â
Along the way to the final, Biermann posted three wins in extra holes including thrilling 19-hole wins over Kyla Lauderbaugh in the semifinals and Cindy Hsu in the round of 16. Biermann rallied from two shots down over the final four holes to send the match against Hsu into overtime.
Counting practice rounds, Biermann played 11 rounds of golf, nine under high-level pressure.
“It was pretty intense,†Biermann said. “Every time you get to tee it up and play against some of the best. It was awesome.â€
The tournament was broadcast live on the Golf Channel.
Biermann carried a nifty resume into the tournament. She competed in the 80th U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin earlier in the season and did not make the cut. Still, she carded an even-par 72 in her second round after opening with an 80.
She was an honorable mention all-American during her recently completed senior season in East Lansing.
Biermann finished her four-year college stint with a career scoring average of 72.96, third-best in the history of the Spartans program.
In addition, Biermann won an individual state championship at Lafayette in 2019 and finished second twice. She was a three-time Post-Dispatch All-Metro player of the year selection.
Yet she remains most proud of her week along the west coast of Oregon.
“I feel pretty good about this,†Biermann said.

Brooke Biermann discusses her approach shot with her caddie and father Bill Biermann on the 10th hole during the first round of stroke play of the 2025 U.S. Women's Amateur at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Ore., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.Â
Biermann shined in front of her entire family, which made the experience even more unforgettable. Younger sister Ashleigh, who was born with Jacobsen Syndrome, a rare chromosomal condition, enjoyed cheering Brooke along as usual. Katie, the mother of the girls, also provided important emotional support.
Bill, an avid golfer, actually got to play a round Monday after the tournament was complete while the three women of the family enjoyed tim away from the course.
Unlike his daughter, Bill struggled on the picturesque course.
“It’s a good thing nobody was watching me,†Bill said. “It wasn’t pretty.â€
Biermann plans on taking a few weeks off before attending LPGA Qualifying School in Dallas in September.
She rolls into the next step of her career on a high note.
“This gives me a lot of confidence,†Biermann said. “Being able to compete and do well is just amazing. I can gain so many good things from this week.â€