Amateurs Asterisk Talley, Jude Lee Give Thoughts on the Difficulty of Erin Hills

ERIN, Wis.— It's a storyline echoing around the grounds and across social media. The 2025 U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills will be one of the biggest tests and challenges of the year for these players. The course is playing a lengthy 6800+ yards, not to mention that this is just a massive property and one of the most daunting courses for golfers to walk and the physical toll it takes out on you.

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World No. 1 Nelly Korda described in her Tuesday presser that this week is just "one big test". But it was interesting to hear what a few amateurs had to say ahead of Thursday's first round.

Asterisk Talley, the 16-year-old sensation who made her USWO debut in 2024, told the media during a soggy Wednesday practice round how she's shifting her strategy to meet the demands of the venue

"It's definitely going to soften it up a little bit which is going to help with the kind of hills that are around here. It might help your ball stay in some good positions," Talley said. "But it's a tough walk for the players especially because the holes are pretty spread out and it's super hilly out here, so just getting to control it around the greens is going to be crucial and getting to hit the fairway is definitely going to be very important."

Talley was joined by 17-year-old Jude Lee, who played her way to Erin Hills through qualifying, echoed the same sentiment, saying, "It's a great test of golf. You have to be on top of every shot and you have to think around the course really well. I think even though the rain might soften it up a little bit, it's not a course that's going to let up a lot for us."

Jude Lee plays her tee shot on the seventh hole during a practice round ahead of the 2025 U.S. Women's Open Presented by Ally at Erin Hills Golf Course in Hartford, Wis. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Kathryn Riley/USGA)

Both Talley and Lee spoke to the length of this course being something that is very much in the forefronts of their minds. The concern doesn't lie in their ability to hit it far but a testament to how when length is a factor, every other aspect of your game is also put on display.

You have to be accurate with those long irons, and your short game better be able to bail you out if needed.

Talley tees off for the first round at 2:09 p.m. local time (CT), Lee goes off shortly after at 2:42 p.m..

See the full list of tee times and pairings for the first and second rounds here.