BLAINE, Minn. – Addison Klonowski of Naples, Fla., carded the low round of the day with a 2-under-par 69 to earn medalist honors Tuesday at Victory Links Golf Course at U.S. Women's Amateur Qualifying. Anna Huettl of Mandan, N.D., joined Klonowski in advancing after posting a 1-under-par 70. The pair claimed the two available qualifying spots for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, set for August 4-9, 2026, at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Faced with extreme heat and windy conditions, both players relied on steady play and strong short games to separate themselves from the field.
Klonowski turned in an even-par 35 before making her move on the final nine. Her first birdie of the day came at the 14th hole, providing the boost she had been waiting for, before adding another birdie at the 16th hole to close with a 2-under 34 on the back nine and finish as the day's medalist.
“I knew it was going to be a grind because it gets pretty windy out here,” Klonowski said. “I knew I had to rely on my short game, and putting was pretty essential out here.”
She pointed to her birdie on 14 as the turning point in her round.
“When I made my first birdie, it kind of gave me a little confidence,” she said. “Then on 16, the par 5, I kind of knew I was heading in a positive direction. I've played the last two U.S. Women's Amateurs, so I knew I just needed to stay patient and have a good mindset.”
Huettl secured the second qualifying position after a steady 1-under-par 70. She opened with a 1-under 34 that featured birdies on the 2nd and 6th holes before closing with an even-par 36, which was highlighted by another birdie on 14.
When asked what aspect of her game she was most proud of, Huettl gave credit to her short game. “I felt really confident that if I didn't make a green, I could get up and down to save par. I just felt really confident with my putting and my chipping.”
Huettl felt her early birdies established the rhythm she carried throughout the round.
“When I made my first birdie on two and then a few holes later made another birdie, I kind of felt like I was playing really steady and in control,” she said.
As the round progressed and the stakes became more apparent, Huettl stayed committed to the advice she had received from her coach. That mindset proved to be the key to her success.
“I just thought back to what my coach would tell me,” she said. “She always says to trust the process and stay present. I just kept repeating that to myself.”
With Tuesday's performance at Victory Links Golf Course, Klonowski and Huettl earned their places in the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship. The two will tee it up against the nation's top amateurs August 4-9, 2026, at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee.
Minnesotans Olivia Salonek and Betsy Kelly earned the first and second alternate sports, repsectively, after surviving a five person playoff for the two altenrate spots.