Japan's Nagano Medals to Earn First Trip to U.S. Senior Women's Open; Minnesotan Weiss to Make Fifth Appearance

  LAKE ELMO, Minn. – A pair of late birdies Friday secured medalist honors for Japan’s Chiaki Nagano, shooting a 1-over 73 at The Royal Golf Club to earn a one-stroke victory over fellow professional Karen Weiss.

As a result, Nagano and Weiss both earned spots in the field at the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Open Aug. 21-24 at San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, Calif.

“Conditions were very hard. I was trying to be careful because pin placement was tricky,” the 54-year-old Nagano said through her interpreter Friday. “There were some birdie putts I missed, and if I could make those, it would’ve been a little better.

“One of my dreams is to compete at the [U.S. Senior Women’s Open]. When I was 18-years-old, I stayed in Minnesota for one month, so there’s a little connection. I look forward to playing with Annika [Sorenstam] and Karrie [Webb] and a great stage for my career in senior golf.”

Nagano, ranked No. 836 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings this week, carded a double-bogey at the fifth hole Friday, turning in 2-over before taking bogey at the par-5 13th.

Hitting her tee shot inside of three feet at the 16th led to Nagano’s first birdie of the round, and she would follow it with a birdie at the par-5 17th.

A two-putt par at the last gave Nagano a one-stroke victory and a spot in her first U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

A professional since 2002, Nagano played in nearly 40 events with her only victory on the Japanese Ladies Professional Golf Association coming in 2005 at the ANA Princess Cup.

Since 2015, she’s played on the JLPGA’s Legends Tour.

Weiss will make her fifth appearance at the national championship next month, with her best finish coming at the 2021 championship, when she placed tied for 10th at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn.

On Friday, Weiss carded a bogey at the par-5 second, but found her stride by playing the opening nine in 1-over at her home course.

The 59-year-old former walk-on at the University of Minnesota remained steady during her inward nine, carding a lone bogey at the par-4 14th to finish in second place with a 2-over 74.

“Home course, which I probably needed every advantage I could get in regard to that,” Weiss said Friday. “Nervous, though, playing here because now there are no excuses. I played pretty well and thought I putted well; I just didn’t make any birdie putts.

“It’s always nerve-wracking when you’re playing these and harder than when you’re teeing it up in the event. If you don’t play good today, you don’t go.”

After rounds of 72-75 to open the championship last season, Weiss carded a 7-over 78 during the third round, but bounced back with her low round of the championship, an even par 71 to finish in a tie for 31st.

“Really good ball-striking last year and just horrible putting until the final day,” Weiss said, looking back to last year’s championship. “I feel like my game is in better shape than it was last year at this time. So, the goal is top-20 to be exempt. I wasn’t that far off last year, even though I didn’t play that particularly well.

“Today I did a lot of good stuff. Now I have two tournaments beforehand and a reason to keep working and keep practicing.

Japan’s Chie Furusawa carded a 4-over 77 to finish as first alternate, while Tina Lindsey, of Cambridge, Wis., finished as second alternate, shooting a 7-over 80.

San Diego Country Club will host its fourth USGA championship next month, previously the U.S. Women’s Open (1964), and two U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships (1993, 2017).

Jill McGill, the first American winner of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2022 before Leta Lindley’s victory last season, won the 1993 U.S. Women’s Amateur played at San Diego Country Club.