Lafayette High graduate Brooke Biermann 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. Biermann, who recently completed her career at Michigan State, plans to attend LPGA Tour qualifying school in the fall.
Kathryn Riley, USGA
Brooke Biermann might have felt a tiny twinge of doubt when pondering her future a few weeks ago.
That uncertainty went away May 31.
The former Lafayette High standout and three-time All-Metro girls golfer of the year carded an even-par 72 during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills Golf Course in Hartford, Wisconsin.
Just a week after wrapping up a successful college career at Michigan State University, Biermann played in the second of five major tournaments on the LPGA circuit.
“A different environment than I was used to, playing against the best in the world,” Biermann said. “It was the biggest challenge in golf.”
Biermann struggled with an 8-over-par 80 in the opening round and despite a strong bounceback, did not make the cut in the 157-player field. Her 8-over 152 was seven shots off the cut line for the final two days.
People are also reading…
Yet she proved something to herself along the way.
“I decided right then that I was going to move forward and try to play golf professionally and see where it takes me,” Biermann said.
Biermann has always wanted to play golf for a living. But she realized that she could have myriad opportunities in the business world after graduating from Michigan State with a degree in human resources.
Brooke Biermann lines up her putt on the seventh hole during a practice round ahead of the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills Golf Course in Hartford, Wis., on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Kathryn Riley, USGA via Michigan State Athletic Communications
In the back of her mind, she wondered if entering the working world would be the better decision.
That performance at Erin Hills pushed those thoughts aside thanks to the even-par round against the stars of the LPGA tour.
“It gave me confidence that maybe I didn’t totally have before,” Biermann said. “I thought to myself, ‘I can do this. I can be successful at the highest level.’”
The 22-year-old plans on turning professional at the end of the summer. That means attending an LPGA Qualifying school in either Texas or Florida. From there, she hopes to advance to the Epson Tour, a second-level tour and the final step before joining the LPGA on a full-time basis.
The experience at the U.S Open was a life-altering event for Biermann. She met and spoke with several tour veterans and learned a little bit about life as a professional. Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu were among those who took the time to give advice to Biermann.
Following the difficult start — “I was pretty nervous,” Biermann admitted — she turned in a stellar effort during the second round, which ended for her on the third day of the tournament after a weather delay.
Brooke Biermann, center, walks down the second hole during a practice round ahead of the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills Golf Course in Hartford, Wis. on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Kathryn Riley, USGA, via Michigan State Athletic Communications
Biermann closed with a birdie on the 18th hole and also recorded a par on the long No. 17 with a nifty shot using her driver out of the fairway, a rarity for her. She fired a 33 over her final nine holes.
“The first round was not up to what I know I can do,” Biermann said. “The second round was much better. I came out a touch mad at myself, having the mindset that I knew I could do better.
“I just had to go out there and do it.”
Biermann received a berth in the U.S. Open by winning a qualifying event at St. Clair Country Club in Belleville.
Competing as an amateur, Biermann looked at the LPGA major as a test for the future.
It was a test she passed with flying colors.
“Just to be able to say I was out there going up against the best in the world, it feels like a great accomplishment,” Biermann said.
Biermann selected her college coach at Michigan State, Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, to be her caddie for the biggest rounds of her life.
“She knows what I can do and she knows my game in and out,” Biermann said.
Slobodnik-Stoll, who has been coaching the Spartans for the past 28 years, enjoyed the rounds almost as much as Biermann.
Brooke Biermann participates in the third round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Carlsbad, Calif.
Tim Cowie, Michigan State Athletic Communications
“After spending four years with her during her collegiate career and witnessing how hard she works and how dedicated she is to her game, it was wonderful to see her compete and be among the best players in the world,” Slobodnik-Stoll said.
Biermann was one of the top players in the Midwest during her high school career. She captured the Class 2 state crown in 2019 and claimed second-place finishes in 2018 and 2020.
A steady and consistent performer, Biermann closed out her college career in style by helping the Spartans reach the NCAA Tournament for the third time over four seasons. She was a first-team all-Big 10 Conference selection and was also named honorable mention all-American by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.
Biermann led the Spartans in scoring this past campaign with an average of 71.91 shots per round, which is the fourth-best all-time at the East Lansing school.
The performance in U.S. Open was not Biermann’s first on the LPGA level. She earned a sponsors exemption in 2023 for the Meijer Classic, where she fired a two-day total of 1-over par and missed the cut by three shots.
For now, Biermann is focused on the U.S. Women’s Amateur tournament August 4-10 at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Bandon, Oregon.
Then, it is off to Q-School as she begins her first step towards a professional career.
“It’s been a dream since I was little and I think I’m ready,” Biermann said. “I’m going to give it my best effort and see what happens.”
Brooke Biermann participates in the third round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Carlsbad, California.
Tim Cowie, Michigan State Athletic Communications
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!