Ina Kim-Schaad Crowned Champion After Epic Battle at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur
PEBBLE BEACH, California – Ina Kim-Schaad showed her mettle and experience by defeating Hanley Long in the longest championship match in U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur history on Thursday. The victory came after an exciting playoff that extended to the fifth extra hole on the Dunes Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Kim-Schaad, 42, from Jupiter, Florida, had already won the tournament in 2019. This victory makes her the fourth oldest winner in the history of the event and the first two-time champion since Julia Potter-Bobb in 2016. The championship is open to players aged 25 or older with a Handicap Index not exceeding 9.4.The match between Kim-Schaad and Long was fierce. Long, 28 years old and from Clarksville, Tennessee, managed to tie the score with a par on the 17th hole, after Kim-Schaad’s approach went past the green. Both players tied on the 18th hole, which led the match to extra holes. After tying the first four playoff holes, the tension reached its peak. Long holed an 18-foot putt on the second extra hole, but Kim-Schaad responded with a birdie on the fifth additional hole, thus securing the victory.I am overwhelmed with emotion, honestly. I truly love this place, and my husband and I got married in Carmel. Doing it in such a special place, a golf course, with my family here and my husband on the bag, on his birthday week, and for the second time, it’s like there aren’t enough words to describe all the feelings I’m experiencing.
Ina Kim-Schaad
Both finalists secured their spots in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur. In addition, Kim-Schaad earned a place in the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur. The previous longest match in the tournament’s history was 22 holes, in 1989, where Robin Weiss defeated Page Marsh Lea.It was an absolute battle all day. Honestly, I am so proud of my courage and determination throughout the day, keeping my head up and never giving up.
Hanley Long
