IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine freshman Katelyn Kong will compete at the 80th U.S. Women's Open Championship May 29-June 1 at the Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin.

Kong, who is paired with fellow American Elina Sinz and Canada's Celeste Dao on the first round, is one of 23 amateurs in the competition.

Each day, competitors play 18 holes with the low 60 scorers and ties, playing the final 36 holes.

She joins Selanee Henderson as the only two Anteaters to compete at a U.S. Women's Open. Henderson played her sophomore year at UCI in 2007, but did not make the cut.

Kong continued her successful season by winning the qualifier with a nine-under par 135 (69-66) at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai.

She was an All-Big West honorable mention selection after a 73.15 scoring average and two Top 10 finishes and three in the Top 20 in 2024-25. The freshman shot a season low 68 on the final round of the Rainbow Wahine Invitational where she led the Anteaters with her best finish, a tie for seventh.