While the site has moved from Wisconsin to the L.A. area, amateur golfer Kiara Romero will bring fond memories, and the golf world’s great expectations, into this week’s U.S. Women’s Open at the Riviera Country Club.
A member of “Team Old National,” which includes up-and-coming PGA TOUR golfer Michael Brennan, Romero is the former No. 1-ranked amateur player who is testing the professional waters and finding her comfort level this summer.
“The opportunities I’ve had to play in professional events as an amateur has taught me a lot about patience and trusting my game,” Kiara told Old National. “I’ve learned that consistency, preparation, and staying present are really important on the big stages, and each opportunity I’ve had to play in professional events has made me more and more comfortable.”
Creating a buzz
That comfort level showed when she logged two collegiate wins in the spring. The results add to her confidence this week entering the U.S. Women’s Open, where last year she shot a 5-under 67 on the final day — the lowest final round by an amateur in U.S. Women’s Open history.
Romero’s great success at the collegiate level has her positioned to potentially bypass the traditional qualifying tour where most players put in the time to earn their LPGA card.
By winning the McCormack Medal as the top amateur player, posting a Top 10 LPGA finish and making five LPGA starts to date, Romero is on track to earn enough points through LPGA’s LEAP pathway standings.
Sisters debut at the U.S. Women’s Open
Kiara will be joined in L.A. this week by big sister Kaleiya, a stand-out on the LPGA’s qualifying tour. Kaleiya earned a qualifying spot at this year’s U.S. Women’s Open by shooting a 5-under 139 at the Arizona Country Club qualifying event in Phoenix in late April. It will be Kaleiya’s first U.S. Women’s Open appearance.
Kaleiya, who turned pro earlier this year, maintains a strong bond with her younger sister, even caddying for her earlier in the year at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“Having my sister by my side has been huge,” Kiara said. “There are definitely moments when we lean on each other after a tough day or celebrate the good rounds together. As we get ready for the U.S. Women’s Open, our conversations are mostly about preparation, staying confident, and enjoying the experience. Of course there’s a little friendly competition — we’re sisters, so that’s inevitable — but at the end of the day we’re each other’s biggest supporters. We want to see each other succeed and make the most of the opportunity.”
Managing finances as an aspiring pro
Approaching the end of her college career while testing the professional waters, Kiara, like other NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) athletes on the new college monetization of person brand landscape, depends on Old National for financial guidance approaching a launch onto the LPGA Tour.
“One thing I’ve realized is being an athlete means learning to manage both your golf career and your finances responsibly,” Kiara said. “I’ve tried to educate myself early, ask questions, and surround myself with people I trust who can help me make smart decisions. Having Old National Bank as a partner is valuable because they encourage young athletes to think about long-term financial planning, not just what happens on the golf course.”
Meeting the moment
All eyes will be on Kiara this week in L.A. as she continues one of the most meteoric recent rises on the LPGA Tour.
“Everyone expects Kiara Romero to become a star whenever she joins the LPGA,” wrote Josh Schrock of Golf.com in April. “The idea of the future arriving ahead of schedule has a gravity of its own; there’s a unique electricity created by world-beating potential.”
The 2026 U.S. Women’s Open will take place June 4-7 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif. The event will be broadcast Thursday (2 p.m. broadcast start) through Sunday (3 p.m. broadcast start) across the NBC, USA Network, and Peacock networks.
To learn more about Kiara Romero and Team Old National, click here.
