The wind was up and the TVs were tuned to Bandon Dunes when a chorus rose from the Arcade Tavern on the Oregon coast: “Beer man!” Local caddies had a new favorite in Brooke Biermann, the 22-year-old from Wildwood, Missouri, who backed their chant with a composed 3-and-2 quarterfinal win over Arianna Lau of Hong Kong at the U.S. Women’s Amateur. Biermann’s father, Bill, an attorney and municipal judge, has been on the bag all week. The family name might sound tailor-made for cheers at a pub, but Brooke only knows it’s German; her dad jokes it’s definitely not Italian.
Biermann’s win sets up an all-Missouri semifinal against 20-year-old Lyla Louderbaugh of Buffalo, marking a Show Me State showdown on one side of the bracket. The other semi features 19-year-old Australian Ella Scaysbrook against Stanford’s Megha Ganne of Holmdel, New Jersey. Saturday’s semifinals are scheduled to air live at 3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
An Aussie feeling at home
Bandon Dunes is often compared to Scotland, but for Scaysbrook it feels like Australia. She sees echoes of the Melbourne Sandbelt in the firm, bouncy turf and constant breeze, and her results reflect that comfort. After sneaking into match play as the 63rd seed, she has surged, dismissing Curtis Cup players Asterisk Talley and Jasmine Koo, with none of her matches reaching the 16th tee.
Ganne’s steady climb
Megha Ganne’s amateur pedigree needs little introduction. She first reached the U.S. Women’s Amateur semifinals as a 15-year-old in 2019, then vaulted into the national spotlight in the final group of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open at Olympic Club. This week’s march has been gritty: over the past two days she’s defeated three of the game’s top amateurs—Kaleiya Romero, Anna Davis, and Kary Hollenbaugh—to return to the final four.
Why this matters at Bandon
– The conditions demand trajectory control, imagination around the greens, and patience in the wind—skills Scaysbrook and Ganne have showcased repeatedly.
– Match play can flatten rankings. Scaysbrook’s surge from the 63rd seed underlines how momentum and course fit can outweigh seed lines on links-style setups.
– Caddie culture is part of the Bandon fabric. Biermann’s local fan base and her father’s presence on the bag add a human touch to high-stakes golf, emphasizing trust and course management—key advantages on coastal links.
What to watch Saturday
– Can Biermann’s control and composure carry through in an all-Missouri duel with Louderbaugh?
– Will Scaysbrook’s links comfort continue to overwhelm opponents before the closing stretch?
– Does Ganne’s experience in big moments give her the edge if a match tightens late?
Positive takeaway
The final four blends local flavor, international flair, and proven championship nerve. From caddie chants in a seaside tavern to global paths converging on Oregon’s coastline, the U.S. Women’s Amateur is showcasing both the depth of the women’s game and the joy of links golf.
Summary
Brooke Biermann advanced to the U.S. Women’s Amateur semifinals with a 3-and-2 win over Arianna Lau, cheered on by local caddies who embraced her “Beer man” nickname. She faces fellow Missourian Lyla Louderbaugh, while Australia’s Ella Scaysbrook meets Stanford’s Megha Ganne, who has knocked off three top amateurs in succession. Wind, firm turf, and match-play momentum are defining a compelling week at Bandon Dunes.