Australian Jennifer Elliott is poised to make her major championship debut this week at the 80th U.S Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.
Elliott (nee Herbst), a 24-year-old Western Australian and former WA State Team member, earned her spot among 41 debutants with an impressive 8-under performance at her Texas sectional qualifier.
Elliott’s journey to one of golf’s grandest stages has been a gradual ascent. Born in South Africa, she moved with her family to Perth at the age of seven. It was at Lake Karrinyup Country Club - where she joined as a 12-year-old - that her passion for the game truly took root.
Despite modest junior acclaim, Elliott carved out a strong collegiate career in the United States, finishing runner-up at the 2024 Conference USA Championship and consistently posting top-10s on the Annika Women’s All-Pro Tour.
Reflecting on her “quiet breakthrough”, Elliott admits she never drew much attention as a junior golfer.
“I didn’t really stand out at all,” she told Golf Australia magazine. “But I managed to make my way through college - I feel like that’s where I took off a little bit. I played pretty well… I just kept grinding.”
That tenacity paid off when she topped her sectional qualifier, leveraging intimate knowledge of the course to card a low score and secure her U.S Women’s Open debut.
Practice rounds at Erin Hills have only bolstered her confidence. “I’m very excited to be here,” Elliott said after a session this week. “I’ve played pretty well in the practice rounds, and I’m really looking forward to the week. I really think I can hopefully keep up.”
She also had the chance to test her game alongside compatriot Hannah Green, using the opportunity to glean insights into the next steps of her development. “Talking to her and seeing how she got to where she is ... it helped me understand what I need to do to reach that next level,” Elliott explained.
Adapting to Erin Hills’ famously rolling bentgrass fairways and greens has been a key focus this week. “Luckily this week we’re playing on bent, which is very similar to back home,” she said.
The course conditions may feel familiar, but the U.S Women’s Open pressure is unparalleled. Elliott admits she often plays with self-imposed pressure, but approached her qualifier with a strong mental game and belief in her capabilities.
“I knew I could shoot a low score - I’d done it before on that course,” she said. “Course knowledge and mental strength really helped me shoot such a low score.”
Off the course, Elliott balances her golf aspirations with work at Grand Pines Country Club in Texas. Her schedule is relentless: early-morning practice sessions, long workdays, and two to three tournaments most months until Q-School concludes. Yet she thrives on the challenge. “It’s a pretty busy time, but I like it. I’ve never been one to just sit at home and do nothing.”
As Elliott readies to tee off among the world’s best, she hopes her story will inspire other young Australian golfers who toil outside the spotlight.
“Don’t give up,” she urges. “When the hill seems too big, look at the small steps in front of you. One day you’ll look back and see the progress you’ve made.”
For a player flying under the radar until now, this week’s U.S Women’s Open represents the first step of what could be a major breakthrough on golf’s biggest stage.
