All News

Madeleine May clinches 2025 PGA Women’s Open with playoff finish

Jun 26, 2025

Indiana Professional Golf Association, MUNCIE, IN (June 26) –

Under scorching summer skies and amid one of the tightest leaderboards in recent memory, Madeleine May emerged victorious at the 2025 PGA Women’s Open, held June 25–26 at Delaware Country Club in Muncie, Indiana.

With temperatures soaring past 90 degrees on both days, the field faced difficult conditions and tricky pin placements. After Round 1, the leaderboard was locked in a three-way tie at even par between Lauren Tibbets, Julia Potter-Bobb, and Taylor Larkins, all of whom secured spots in the final pairing for Thursday’s championship round.

But as the second round unfolded, the leaderboard shifted constantly, with as many as seven players within just one or two strokes of each other. Then, a two-hour weather delay cooled the course—but not the competition—as the final group returned to play their last seven holes.

In the final stretch, Taylor Larkins carded a clutch birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Madeleine May, both finishing the tournament at one-over-par.

Larkins, a standout high school player, was chasing history, she would have become only the second high schooler to win the PGA Women’s Open since Brittany Kelly did so in 2006.

The playoff began on hole 10, where both players made par. On the second playoff hole, back on 18, Larkins faltered after her second shot, while May played steady, leaving herself a two-putt for victory. When she rolled in her second, May captured her first PGA Women’s Open title.

“I kind of figured I was getting close to the top,” May said. “The course played a little tougher today, and some of the pin placements were tricky. I knew I had a good round going and was making some really good up-and-downs when I got out of position.”

For May, the win marks a significant career milestone. “It’s probably one of my best wins since my junior career,” she shared. “I haven’t had the college career I hoped for, so this is a really good starting place for my rising senior year.”

Her game plan? “Just to have fun,” May said with a smile. “I’ve been talking with my assistant coach about enjoying the game again. We’re so fortunate to be able to play this sport all summer, and I just wanted to embrace that.”

The playoff added even more drama to the day, especially after May dodged elimination on the first playoff hole. “I really didn’t think I’d keep going,” she said. “But once I got that lifeline, I knew I had to take advantage of it on 18—and I got it done.”

Her sharp short game proved critical throughout the round. “I was making some up-and-downs when I got out of position,” she said. “And I got a few lucky breaks too—like a chip that hit the pin.”