Photos courtesy of Eakin Howard/USGA
October 9, 2025
It took 144 holes but it was worth the wait for Ina Kim-Schaad.
The Los Angeles native who was the No. 45 seed took home her second U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Title in six years as she defeated No.46 seed Hanley Long in 23 holes at Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
The match is now the longest championship match in U.S. Women's Mid-Am History. Kim-Schaad who now resides in Jupiter, FL became the fourth-oldest champion and sixth player to win multiple U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Titles.
"Right now the adrenaline has not worn off yet," Kim-Schaad said. "But I am sure I will collapse as soon as I get home."
Kim-Schaad made a 18-foot birdie putt on the par-4 23rd hole to end the thriller on the Peninsula. She raised her putter and fist in the sky and hugged her husband Ian who was her caddy this week.
"The fifth hole was my nemesis this week and it is pretty ironic that I ended up winning on that hole," Kim-Schaad said. "I was just genuinely trying to nestle the putt up close and it happen to have the perfect speed and go in."
The match started with Kim-Schaad winning the par-4 1st hole. Long would respond with a bounce back birdie on the par-4 2nd hole.
The match would remain all square until the par-3 7th hole when Kim-Schaad made par and Long made bogey.
The action heated up on the par-5 9th hole where Kim-Schaad hit a beautiful wedge shot to about five feet. Long hit her wedge shot to within 20 feet but could not convert the birdie.
Kim-Schaad was able to make the five-foot birdie putt which would become the theme of this championship match.
Kim-Schaad who is a mental performance coach said that she just tried to keep the process simple when it came to her putting.
"I was just trying to get comfortable and athletic out there," Kim-Schaad said. "I felt comfortable over the ball and not trying to over think it too much."
Long entered the back nine two down but showed true Tennessee grit on the back nine.
The 27-year-old Clarksville, TN native who works in commercial mortgage banking for BWE showed resilience on the golf course.
"I grinded it out and never gave up," Long said afterwords. "Just proud of my effort and going to hold my head high."
Long made birdie on the par-4 11th hole and tied the match with a par on the 12th hole.
Kim-Schaad would reclaim the lead on the picturesque par-3 14th hole. Long's tee shot went into the right fringe and could not convert her par attempt.
The Middle Tennessee State alum birdied the par-5 15th hole to put the match at all square.
On the par-4 16th hole, Long hit her drive right into a dune. Kim-Schaad was able to find the fairway and make par to take a 1 up lead heading into the 17th hole.
Long kept coming back as she made par on the par-4 17th hole to tie the match. Kim-Schaad airmailed her second shot and played her third shot from the cart path behind the hole.
With a intimate crowd following the match, the action shifted to the par-5 18th hole. Long almost closed the show as her 12-foot par putt just edged by the cup. Kim-Schaad was able to make a five-foot bogey putt to send the championship match into extra holes.
Both players would tie on the par-4 19th hole. The duel in the Monterey Peninsula sun continued as Long made a clutch 18-foot par putt that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Both players would tie the next two holes before Kim-Schaad closed the show with a birdie.
Long and Kim-Schaad battled on Thursday. Both of them will play in the 2026 U.S. Amateur at The Honors Course in Ooletwah, TN.
This week felt like a championship triumph for Long. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and was on-site this week along with her brother who was her caddy.
"The last year has been incredibly difficult for our family," Long said. "This week has been the light at the end of the tunnel and the fact I played hard as I did brought our family and our hometown together has been awesome to see."
Long will have another chance to compete for a USGA title next year at the U.S. Women's Amateur. But this time, it will be in her home state.
"We did not get this one," Long said. "But I have a feeling next year is going to be good to us and put in that effort so we do not have to face defeat again."
Kim-Schaad's parents walked every hole with their daughter. They were not there when Kim-Schaad won in 2019 but this week was a win for the family.
"Definitely a full circle moment," Kim-Schaad said. "It has been nice to spend this time with them and feel really at home and for them to watch me win has been really special."
With the win, Kim-Schaad earned exemptions into the next two U.S. Women's Amateur Championships and next 10 U.S. Women's Mid-Amateur Championships.
She will also be getting an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Women's Open which will be played at Rivera Country Club in her hometown of Los Angeles.
Kim-Schaad played in the 2020 U.S. Women's Open without fans. Now, she will get the Hollywood homecoming.
"I am beyond pumped," Kim-Schaad said. "I am excited to have a home crowd and feels good to have a second chance to do the real thing."
Kim-Schaad will always be California Dreamin’.