When Gabby Woods arrived at Heatherwoode Golf Club to defend her Ohio Women’s Open title, she was searching for something more: validation.
The trophy she carried away Saturday will eventually find a place on a shelf. The confidence she rediscovered may prove even more valuable.
Behind a gutsy, bogey-free final-round 67, Woods chased down one of the brightest young players in amateur golf, overtook the overnight leader, and successfully defended her Ohio Women’s Open championship.
For a player who admitted she has spent much of the season wrestling with confidence, the victory meant far more than another line on a résumé.
“I haven’t had a very good start on the [Annika] WAPT,” said Woods, clutching a trophy she knows quite well. “But today, knowing that I didn’t necessarily have my best stuff but still played to the extent that I did.
“It’s massive. It’s just huge.”
Her two Ohio Women’s Open titles could hardly have been more different.
A year ago, Woods cruised to a title that was hers to lose. She won by six shots and was the only player in the field to finish in red figures. This time, she faced perhaps the deepest field the championship has assembled in years — a collection of elite amateurs, accomplished professionals and future stars that included world No. 154 amateur Mia Hammond, Curtis Cup participant Kary Hollenbaugh and former LPGA Tour player Victoria Elizabeth.
“I’ve been struggling with the mental side of things, trying to get myself right,” said Woods. “Today really made me realize that I’m good enough to play and win.”
FULL GAME STORY: 2026 Ohio Women’ Open >
— story and photos by Brett Hiltbrand, SOPGA
FINAL RESULTS: Southern Ohio PGA
2026 Ohio Women’s Open
Heatherwoode Golf Club, Springboro
Friday, June 5 – Saturday, June 6, 2026
Blue Golf Hole-by-Hole Results >
1 Gabby Woods (p), Sabina, OH 69 – 67 = 136
2 Jessica Welch (p), Thomasville, GA 72 – 67 = 139
3 Mia Hammond (a), New Albany, OH 67 – 73 = 140
4 Victoria Elizabeth McCauley (p), Batavia, OH 69 – 72 = 141
5 Ellie Yeazell (a), West Chester, OH 72 – 70 = 142
T6 Gracie Larsen (a), Kent, OH 73 – 70 = 143
T6 Marissa Steen (p), New Madison, OH 73 – 70 = 143
T8 Gracie James (a), Pataskala, OH 72 – 74 = 146
T8 Allie White (p), Lancaster, OH 72 – 74 = 146
10 Sammie Dolce (a), Bowling Green, OH 73 – 74 = 147
11 Emma Myers (a), Toledo, OH 74 – 74 = 148
12 Amanda Dixon (p), Hillsboro, OH 73 – 76 = 149
T13 Kristen Belden (a), Canton, OH 78 – 72 = 150
T13 Cammy Reed (a), Fairview Park, OH 74 – 76 = 150
15 Molly Skapik (p), Miamisburg, OH 78 – 74 = 152
T16 Mia Raines (a), Galena, OH 79 – 74 = 153
T16 Sabrina Coffman (a), Brunswick, OH 77 – 76 = 153
T16 Juanita Beatrix Tandoc (a), Toronto, ON 76 – 77 = 153
T16 Ellie Hartung (a), Cincinnati, OH 77 – 76 = 153
T16 Zoe Luebbers (a), Cincinnati, OH 73 – 80 = 153
T16 Paige Treherne (a), Cincinnati, OH 72 – 81 = 153
T22 McKenzie Miller (a), Hilliard, OH 78 – 76 = 154
T22 Elizabeth Pollock (a), Chagrin Falls, OH 78 – 76 = 154
T24 Gracyn Alexander (a), Galena, OH 80 – 75 = 155
T24 Haeri Lee (p), Buffalo Grove, IL 74 – 81 = 155
26 Clare Yeazell (a), West Chester, OH 78 – 78 = 156
27 Maureen Burns (a), Cincinnati, OH 83 – 74 = 157
T28 Suwarin Yord-in (a), Columbus, OH 79 – 79 = 158
T28 Taylor Dunkle (a), Springboro, OH 79 – 79 = 158
T28 Ally Turner (a), Carlisle, OH 77 – 81 = 158
T31 Olivia Donovan (a), Lebanon, OH 80 – 79 = 159
T31 Ashley Thomas (p), Loveland, OH 76 – 83 = 159
T33 Calli Reed (a), Fairview Park, OH 83 – 77 = 160
T33 Morgan Rodgers (a), Springboro, OH 77 – 83 = 160
T35 Melissa Yeazell (p), West Chester, OH 81 – 80 = 161
T35 Audrey Keplar (a), Orient, OH 82 – 79 = 161
37 Elise Dunkle (a), Springboro, OH 83 – 80 = 163
38 Leeann Harker (a), Centerville, OH 78 – 86 = 164
39 Zoey Merritt (a), Degraff, OH 84 – 82 = 166
40 Lauren Perry (a), Blanchester, OH 87 – 83 = 170
T41 Kaylyn Henson (a), Grove City, OH 88 – 85 = 173
T41 Ava Snow (a), Centerville, OH 84 – 89 = 173
43 Cadence Monroe-McCoy (a), Springfield, OH 92 – 88 = 180
44 Sophie Burns (a), Columbus, OH 93 – 88 = 181
45 Emma Shaffer (a), Springfield, OH 92 – 90 = 182
WD Kary Hollenbaugh (a), New Albany, OH
LEGENDS DIVISION:
1 Christa Johnson (p), Tucson, AZ 75 – 75 = 150
2 Nancy Rubin Sharff (p), Deland, FL 74 – 82 = 156
3 Jamie Zimron (p), Truckee, CA 79 – 80 = 159
