DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 15, 2025) – Kiara Romero has been awarded the 2025 Mark H. McCormack Medal as the leading female amateur in the 2025 World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). As the recipient of this honor, she earns four points in the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP), the highest number of LEAP points given for any single achievement.

In addition to this honor, Romero has been awarded exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally at The Riviera Country Club and the 2026 AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in England, provided she remains amateur.

“It just meant a lot. All the work that I put in the past few years and everything kind of coming together,” said Romero about receiving the 2025 McCormack Medal. “It's been a great success to see my game continue to grow. Just learning how to be a better person and better player every day and growing a lot in that sense and starting to succeed out on the golf course.”

Romero is making her first non-major start on the LPGA Tour at The Standard Portland Classic in Portland, Ore., where she is competing as a sponsor invite.

A current University of Oregon Duck, Romero now has 11 points in the LEAP standings following the announcement of the 2025 Mark H. McCormack Medal winner, the most of any eligible athlete. She is nine points away from reaching the 20-point threshold to become eligible for LPGA Tour Membership.

“Super grateful they started that for us so we have an opportunity to work towards an LPGA card later in our college careers, and there is a direct path they didn't have before,” said Romero about the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway. “It's a great opportunity, and getting those four points has really helped jumpstart that for me. I look forward to the next few years to see what will happen.”

Romero’s 11 points in the LEAP standings have been accumulated since 2023. Her current points breakdown is detailed as:

2023 U.S. Girls’ Junior Champion – 1 point
2024 Arnold Palmer Cup Team Member – 1 point
Made cut at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open – 1 point
2025 Arnold Palmer Cup Team Member – 1 point
No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking – 3 points
2025 McCormack Medal recipient – 4 points

For more information on the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway, visit LPGA.com/LEAP.

Kiara Romero Receives Mark H. McCormack Medal, Earns Four Points in LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway

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