Georgia’s Jessica Welch Being Chased by Amateurs in Michigan PGA Women's Open
June 24, 2025
THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. – Defending champion and LPGA Epson Tour player Jessica Welch of Thomasville, Ga., had the lead for the second consecutive day, but a bevy of talented amateur golfers are chasing her.
“They get better and younger every year,” said Welch, who is 31 and attempting to go back-to-back in the 32nd Michigan PGA Women’s Open Championship presented by Coca-Cola and hosted by Crystal Mountain.
Welch shot a 4-under 68 on Tuesday to post a 7-under two-round 137 total on the Mountain Ridge Course. It left her three shots ahead of two Big Ten Conference golfers who were tied for second, and four more collegiate golfers and a high school standout who held the next five spots.
The final round of the $40,000 championship is Wednesday. The winning professional will pocket $8,000. A two-tee format will be used with the final group scheduled to start play at 9:40 a.m.
“It’s probably going to take another 68 or better because someone is going to go low,” said Welch who led wire-to-wire in winning a year ago. “There’s a bunch of talented kids out there. I will stick to my plan for this course, though. I have great memories to draw on here, and in the end, for me, it’s always fall back on my routine.”
Ana Murcia of Colombia, who plays at Michigan State University, shot a 66 to post 140, and she was tied for second with Lauren Timpf of Macomb and Purdue University, who shot 67.
Olivia Stoll of Haslett and Grand Valley State University, who shot 71, was next at 142, and Elise Fennell of Caledonia and Illinois State University, who shot 71, was in fifth place at 143.
Next came Brook Herbstreit of Fenton and Saginaw Valley State University, who shot 72 for 145, and the two amateurs at 146 were Lily Bargamian of Grosse Ile and Oakland University, who shot 68, and Grace Slocum, the 2024 Division 4 individual state high school champion for Traverse City St. Francis High School, who shot 73.
The top pros on the leaderboard behind Welch were tied for ninth with two more amateur collegiate players.
Timpf, who will be a sophomore at Purdue in the fall and has been a Golf Association of Michigan Player of the Year and high school golf’s Miss Golf among many other accolades, said she was a little surprised to be in the final group and chasing Welch on Wednesday.
“Honestly, just a few days ago I was still struggling with my swing,” she said. “I texted my coach because he had watched me play all season and he gave me a few tips. I started hitting the ball better right away and it feels great to put together a good round.”
Timpf said she is excited to be in contention.
“It’s the first time this season I’ve been in this spot, and I feel like I’ve worked really hard to get here,” she said. “Being in contention is a really, really good feeling.”
Welch, who had six birdies and two bogeys in her second round, said final rounds are unpredictable.
“There’s always a different vibe on the final round,” she said. “I’m burning a little bit right now because I missed a short putt on 18 for birdie, but golf giveth and taketh away. I’m going to put that behind me and get ready for tomorrow. I’ve been there before and I’m counting on that to help me."
The lowest score on the course on Tuesday came from the Senior Division tees.
Cheryl Fox, the director of golf at Fostoria (Ohio) Country Club, shot 64 with a hole-in-one on the par 3 second hole and had the Senior Division lead through two rounds.
She checked in at 138, two ahead of Michigan Golf Hall of Famer Suzy Green-Roebuck, who shot 70 for 140.
In the 36-hole tournament presented in conjunction with the Open, the Michigan Women’s PGA Professional Championship, Kelly Kuhlman of Rochester, a teaching pro at Twin Lakes Golf & Swim Club, shot a final 85 for 168 and her first win in the championship. She won by six shots over Karen VandenBerg of Battle Creek Country Club.
ABOUT CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN: Established in 1956, Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four-season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The 1,500-acre resort features lodging, dining, downhill and cross-country skiing, two championship golf courses, shopping, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, Peak Fitness, the Park at Water’s Edge, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, a conference center, and real estate options.
SPONSORS: The tournament’s presenting sponsor is Coca-Cola, a long-time partner of Crystal Mountain. Visit Michigan PGA Women's Open Tournament to see the sponsor support of the championship.
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN CONTACT: Brittney Primeau, Director of Communications, 231-378-2091, brittneyprimeau@crystalmountain.com
SCORING: Find it at www.michiganpga.com by clicking on Tournaments, then Section Events and the Women’s Open will be at the top of the list.
MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Johnson at 616-560-8995 or gregeeee24@gmail.com