Asterisk Talley – Photo by Max Bechtoldt/Women’s Golf Daily News
Asterisk Talley, the No. 10 ranked amateur in the world and the top player in the AJGA rankings, shot an incredible -7 65 to get into contention heading into the weekend at the Ford Championship, played near Phoenix.
Talley got off to an interesting start, with a couple early birdies, but also a double bogey on the difficult par 4 14, her fifth hole of the day. She did get birdies on the final two holes of her first nine though to set up the fireworks after making the turn.
Talley had an eagle on the par 5 second hole before dropping another stroke on the par 3 third. Once she reached the final four holes though, it was perfection. Talley birdied her final four holes coming in to get to -10 for the tournament, within two strokes of the lead at the time of her finish.
After that double bogey, Talley, 17-years-old, showed ability beyond her years to block that out and move forward, not missing another green the rest of the round.
“I had some nice birdies in the beginning and then I had that double, which was a little tough. I tried to just keep it out of my mind,” said Talley. “After that it was just steady. Had some birdies and then had that eagle. It was a nice confidence booster going into the back nine there.”
Talley looks poised to contend to be the first amateur to win on the LPGA Tour since Lydia Ko in 2013. After making the cut this week she will head to Georgia for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, where she finished runner-up in 2025 and should be a heavy favorite.
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