Everything's Bigger in Texas—Including Rising Star Farah O’Keefe's Personality

HOUSTON, Texas — Don't make the same mistake I did.

Two months ago, Farah O'Keefe was a player name I'd see in passing. She'd had strong showings last year at events like the U.S. Women's Open, the Augusta National Women's Amateur, and the U.S. Women's Amateur. But I hadn't been as tapped in as I should have...because 2026 has been her year!

She got off to a hot start collecting three collegiate titles in the span of four events. I got my first good look at O'Keefe in action at this years ANWA and I saw glimpses of a player who has all the makings to be great. Her game play aside—she's kind, attentive with fans, has a solid team around her, and above all else just a joy to watch.

This week, the junior at the University of Texas is making her Chevron Championship debut, with the entire Lone Star State behind her. Born and raised in Austin, O'Keefe's presence here was an easy layup as far as sponsorship exemptions are concerned.

"I think this is the only LPGA event here and it's a major, so to be able to be at home, in my home state, and represent kind of my Texas heritage I think is big deal for me and for my family and all my friends and entire support group," O'Keefe, the fourth ranked amateur in the world said in her pre-tournament presser on Wednesday. "It's not every day you get to play in your home state. We barely have collegiate tournaments here for some reason, so it's cool. It's a very cool opportunity and I'm super excited."

I followed O'Keefe during her practice round alongside some of the other amateurs teeing it up this week, Megha Ganne, Kiara Romero, and Andrea Revuelta. Right away I just felt a lightness to O'Keefe. She's easy to talk to, and it's not all golf all the time with her. In fact, in her down time, she's a bit of a gamer.

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When she's not busy being one of the best amateur golfers in the world, O'Keefe loves to play Fortnite, which is basically an online survivor game known for its unique pop culture references (like certain dance moves).

"[Being] a student-athlete...you do golf full time and school full time. You're trying to basically juggle two very full time jobs at the same time. It's not always the easiest thing and can kind of weigh on you a little bit mentally," O'Keefe said. "So I try to play some games when I'm not smoked with homework or whatever. It's kind of fun, wholesome. I think on a Friday night after a long week it's like, okay, I can relax, play video games for two hours and go to bed and I'll be fine."

In fact, she actually has one of her friends she met through the game coming down to support her this week!

What I like the most about O'Keefe is that she an open book. She admitted it herself that she has the gift of gab—and it's easy to see with her that making connections is just as important as competing and winning. She has a very casual confidence to her, and it shines through when she's speaking to you.

I'm excited to see her more and more—and you can count on her being a steady presence on the LPGA.

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