Kim-Schaad, 42, of Jupiter, Florida, also won in 2019. She is the fourth-oldest winner in the event’s history and the first two-time winner since Julia Potter-Bobb in 2016. The tournament is open to players age 25 and older with a handicap index not exceeding 9.4.
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“Honestly, I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” Kim-Schaad said. “I really love this place, and my husband and I got married in Carmel. To do it in such a special place, a golf course, with my family here and my husband in the bag, on his birthday, and for the second time, it’s like there isn’t even enough language to express all the feelings I feel.”
Long, 28, of Clarksville, Tennessee, made a par on the par-4 17th when Kim-Schaad’s approach flew onto the green and she had to hit her third shot from a cart path. Both players bogeyed the par-4 18th to send in extra holes. They made par on the first four playoff holes, and Long hit an 18-footer on the second extra hole.
“It was an absolute battle all day long,” Long said. “Honestly, I’m so proud of my grit and determination throughout the day, keeping my head up and never giving up.”
Both finalists earned spots in the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and Kim-Schaad also entered the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur.
The previous longest match in tournament history was 22 holes in 1989, in Robin Weiss’ victory over Page Marsh Lea.
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AP Golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf