NAIRN, Scotland — Stanford’s Paula Martín Sampedro became the second Cardinal ever to win The Women’s Amateur, defeating Farah O’Keefe of the University of Texas in the final round of match play to win the 122nd running of the most prestigious amateur tournament in women’s golf.
Congratulations to Paula Martin Sampedro, The 122nd Women’s Amateur Champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pwkpdBcNJV
— The R&A (@RandA) June 15, 2025
To reach the finals alone is an incredible feat. The field of 144 amateurs was cut to 32 for match play after two rounds of stroke play. From there, six rounds of match play determine a champion, including 36 holes during the match play finals.
The opening 18 holes during the morning session were arguably the best to start a championship match at The Women’s Amateur. Both Martín Sampedro and O’Keefe shot 5-under 67s to begin the day, with five birdies apiece. Martín Sampedro knocked down three birdies in her first five holes but was never able to get more than one hole ahead of O’Keefe during the morning session.
The match turned near the turn in the afternoon session. With the score tied, Martín Sampedro birdied on six and seven to take a 2-hole lead over O’Keefe. As she had done all week long, though, O’Keefe battled back and tied the match on nine and ten with a birdie and an eagle.
O’Keefe’s magic ran out on 13 and 14, however. She bogeyed both of those holes, allowing Martín Sampedro to get back in front by two holes with four to go. Pars the rest of the way closed out the match, with a 2up victory for Martín Sampedro secured on a short tap-in on 17.
It’s time for Paula Martin Sampedro to lift The Women’s Amateur Championship trophy for the very first time 🏆 pic.twitter.com/f0VLuKCymr
— The R&A (@RandA) June 15, 2025
Aline Krauter is the only other Cardinal to have won The Women’s Amateur, doing so in 2020 by defeating Annabell Fuller 1up at West Lancashire. She also becomes the sixth Spanish winner of The Women’s Amateur, the first since Azahara Munoz in 2009.
By virtue of her win, Martín Sampedro now gains entry to the AIG Women’s Open, US Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship, Chevron Championship, and, by tradition, an invitation to compete at Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship.