OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (FOX26) — After five straight days of weather delays and exceptional golf play, Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla won the 126th United States Women’s Amateur Championship in Ooltewah, Tenn. on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 9.
The No. 1-ranked junior golfer in the nation, Talley defeated Anna Iwanaga in the final by eight shots with six holes left to play.
The 17-year-old Stanford commit will bring home the Robert Cox Trophy and earn exemption into four of the five LPGA Majors next year as a result of her latest victory.
It was a dominant Sunday showing from Talley as she made nine birdies and an eagle in the 30-hole final round. Her father Jim served as caddy for the entire week – a total of 144 holes since Tuesday, Aug. 4 – and tearfully embraced Talley after the winning putt.
Asterisk Talley hugs her caddie and father Jim Talley on the 30th hole after winning the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tenn. on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (Darren Carroll/USGA)
“I think it pretty much completes my amateur career,” Talley told the GOLF Channel post-match. “This is one of the biggest events to ever win, so I think this is going to be at the top of my list from now on.”
That is one pretty extensive list of trophies for Talley.
In June, the Chowchilla High School senior helped Team USA win back the Curtis Cup from Great Britain & Ireland at Bel-Air Country Club.
[RELATED] Chowchilla’s Asterisk Talley represents U.S. in the Curtis Cup golf tournament
Sunday brought Talley’s second career USGA title, winning her first as teammates with Sarah Lim at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship in 2024.
That was the same year Talley finished runner-up at the 124th U.S. Women’s Amateur, where she now holds an 11-2 career record. She improved her record in match play at USGA events to 24-6.
Including her low amateur honors at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open and 22nd-place finish at the 2026 edition, Talley has a resume that stands among the most accomplished of any amateur golfer in the world.
For now, the Chowchilla native is No. 8 in the World Amateur Women’s Golf rankings and about one week away from starting her senior year of high school.