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Amy Olson
Amy Olson
from Wikipedia

Amy Olson née Anderson (born July 10, 1992)[2] is an American former professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour from 2013 to 2023. She turned professional in 2013 after her collegiate career at North Dakota State University where she won an NCAA record 20 collegiate events.[3]

Key Information

Amateur career

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Anderson started playing golf at age 2 and won numerous local, state, and regional competitions with her most notable win coming in 2009 at the U.S. Girl's Junior at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey.[4] In 2011 she was the first woman to compete in the KX Bank of the West Amateur Tournament.[5]

College career

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Anderson competed at North Dakota State University, where she led the women's golf program in scoring each of her four years.[6] She qualified for the 2011 U.S. Women's Open while in college and held the first-round lead at The Broadmoor. She won 20 collegiate events, which beat Juli Inkster's NCAA record of 17 events.[3] In addition to her performance on the golf course, Anderson held a 3.97 GPA in accounting and won the Elite 89 Award as a sophomore, being the student-athlete with the highest GPA (4.0) at the national championship.[6]

Professional career

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After completing her senior season at NDSU, Anderson turned professional and won Stage II of LPGA Qualifying school.[7] She gained her LPGA Tour card in June 2013 to be part of the rookie class in 2014.[8] Her best finish of the year came at the LPGA Lotte Championship in Hawaii, where she finished tied for 7th.[2]

In 2018, Olson made the final pairing at the ANA Inspiration, and picked up her first top-10 in a major there as she tied for 9th.[9][10] At The Evian Championship, Olson came close to making her first LPGA victory a major championship, but after at least sharing the lead for most of the final day, she lost to Angela Stanford on the 18th hole with a double bogey.[9][11] By the end of 2018, she posted a career-best four top-10 finishes in 24 starts, and passed the $1 million mark in career earnings with her T10 finish at the CME Group Tour Championship.[12]

Olson started her 2019 season sharing a five-way tie for tenth in the ISPS Handa Women's Australian Open,[13] and a tie for fifth in the HSBC Women's World Championship.[14]

Olson announced her professional golf retirement on her X account on April 24, 2024.[15]

Personal life

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She was born in Oxbow, North Dakota to Mark and Twyla Anderson. She has one sibling, Nathan Anderson, who competed on North Dakota State University's men's golf team. She was home schooled through high school before attending North Dakota State University herself at the age of 17.[16] As of 2017 she competes under her married name, Amy Olson.[5]

Olson is married to Grant Olson, the NDSU defensive coordinator. She is a Christian.[17] She found out on January 13, 2023, she is expecting their first child. She played the 2023 U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on July 6–9 at 7 months pregnant, before a planned maternity leave at 30 weeks.[1] That would be her last tournament before officially retiring in 2024. She gave birth to her daughter Carly Gray Olson in 2023.[15]

Results in LPGA majors

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Results not in chronological order before 2019.

Tournament 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Chevron Championship T67 T9 T52 T51 T40 CUT
Women's PGA Championship CUT 70 CUT CUT T18 CUT T37 CUT CUT
U.S. Women's Open 63 T52 CUT T2 T12 T60 CUT
The Evian Championship ^ CUT 63 T70 T2 T30 NT T60 CUT
Women's British Open CUT T28 CUT T45 CUT CUT

^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.

  Top 10
  Did not play

LA = low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
NT = no tournament
"T" = tied

Summary

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Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Chevron Championship 0 0 0 0 1 1 6 5
Women's PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 0 1 9 3
U.S. Women's Open 0 1 0 1 1 2 7 5
The Evian Championship 0 1 0 1 1 1 7 5
Women's British Open 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 2
Totals 0 2 0 2 3 5 35 20
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (2017 Evian – 2019 ANA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (three times)

Team appearances

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Amateur

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Amy Olson (born July 10, 1992) is an American former professional er who competed on the LPGA Tour from 2014 until her retirement in 2024, renowned for her record-setting collegiate career and notable performances in major championships. Born in Oxbow, North Dakota, Olson grew up in a family passionate about and turned professional in 2013 after a standout amateur tenure. She retired from competitive play in May 2024 to prioritize motherhood following the birth of her first child, a daughter, in September 2023. Olson's path to professional golf began early, as she won the 2009 U.S. Girls' Junior at age 17, showcasing her potential as one of the top young talents in the sport. At , she studied and management, graduating in 2014 while shattering the NCAA record with 20 collegiate victories—a mark previously held by . This achievement highlighted her dominance in amateur golf, including representing the United States in the 2012 Curtis Cup. Upon joining the Tour as a in 2014, Olson quickly established herself as a consistent performer, amassing career earnings of $2.7 million without securing an official tour victory. Her most prominent moments came in majors: she finished as runner-up at the 2018 Evian Championship and achieved a T2 at the 2020 U.S. Women's Open, where she led after the first round with a hole-in-one on the third hole and birdies elsewhere, despite the emotional challenge of her father-in-law's recent death. In 2020, she posted three top-10 finishes and earned $763,832, her best seasonal performance. Beyond competition, Olson has been married to fellow golfer Grant Hirschman since 2015, blending her personal and professional lives in the golf world. Her decision to step away from the tour reflected a deliberate shift toward family, as she noted in announcements that she preferred to "fail at golf than motherhood." Post-retirement, she remains involved in golf through advocacy, serving as an ambassador for the Independent Women's Forum and sharing insights on social media about equity in the sport. She has been vocal in advocating for the integrity of women's golf, contributing to policy changes by the LPGA and USGA in December 2024 regarding transgender participation.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Amy Olson was born on July 10, 1992, in the small rural town of , . She grew up in a close-knit with her parents, Mark and Twyla Anderson, and older brother Nathan, in a home built adjacent to the par-3 first hole at Oxbow Country Club, which facilitated easy access to the course. Her mother homeschooled her and Nathan through high school, providing a flexible educational environment that allowed ample time for extracurricular pursuits like . Olson was introduced to golf at the age of two by her father, who taught her and her brother the basics as a casual family activity during summers in North Dakota's rural landscape. Initially tagging along with Nathan, who began competing in local junior tournaments at age eight, she developed a passion for the sport through sibling rivalry and mutual encouragement, often practicing putting on the green near their home. Her family's emphasis on hard work, faith, and perseverance—instilled by her parents' guidance to "trust and obey"—motivated her early dedication, leading her to wake early for solitary practice sessions at the local club despite the isolation of the rural setting. By around age nine, Olson entered her first local competition, the 2001 Ironman Junior Classic in , where she won after intensive preparation, marking the beginning of her skill development in North Dakota's limited but supportive community. This foundation in a tight family unit and rural environment shaped her resilience and love for the game.

Amateur achievements

Olson began her competitive junior career with notable success in regional events, winning the Minnesota Players Cup in the 13-15 division in 2006 and securing victory in the women's all-city golf tournament at Moorhead Country Club that same year. In 2008, she claimed her third consecutive Fargo-Moorhead Women’s All-City title in and triumphed at the Birchmont Tournament in , while also capturing the State Girls Junior PGA title. The following year, she defended her State Girls Junior PGA title. Her standout achievement came in 2009 when, at age 17, she won the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, earning medalist honors in the stroke-play qualifying with a score of 141 and defeating Kimberly Kim 6-and-5 in the 36-hole final match. That summer, she also led after the first round of the U.S. Women's Amateur, won the PGA Junior Series in the 16-18 division by 16 strokes, and became the first female to advance to the championship flight of the Pine to Palm Tournament in North Dakota. These accomplishments established Olson as one of the top prospects in the country, leading to her early recruitment and enrollment at in the fall of 2009 at just 16 years old.

College career

Academic and athletic record

Amy Olson enrolled at (NDSU) in , in 2009, where she majored in and graduated in 2013 with a 3.97 GPA. Her recruitment to NDSU followed a distinguished career that showcased her golfing talent. As a member of the NDSU women's golf team competing in NCAA Division I, Olson played a pivotal role in the program's success, helping secure multiple Summit League championships during her tenure from 2009 to 2013. She was a four-time Summit League Golfer of the Year and earned three-time Championship MVP honors, underscoring her contributions to team victories. Olson demonstrated exceptional balance between her academic and athletic commitments, maintaining her near-perfect GPA while achieving athletic excellence. In her sophomore year, she received the NCAA Elite 89 Award, recognizing her as the student-athlete with the highest GPA among participants at the NCAA Championships. This honor highlighted her ability to excel in both arenas throughout her college career.

Notable college wins

During her four seasons at (NDSU) from 2009 to 2013, Amy Olson amassed an NCAA-record 20 individual tournament victories in women's golf, surpassing the previous mark of 17 set by at . This achievement established her as one of the most dominant college golfers in history, with her wins spanning regular-season events, conference championships, and regional competitions. Olson's standout performances included three individual titles at the Championship, earning her MVP honors each time in , , and , making her the first player in conference history to achieve this feat. Her victory at the event not only clinched her fourth consecutive Golfer of the Year award but also marked her 20th career win, breaking Inkster's record during NDSU's team sweep of the championship. She also secured early-career streaks, winning her first three tournaments as a and closing her college tenure with three consecutive victories, including regional events that bolstered her reputation. These successes significantly elevated NDSU's women's program, contributing to multiple team conference titles and NCAA regional appearances, while earning Olson two All-American selections and widespread recognition as a top amateur talent. Her dominance inspired teammates and enhanced the program's recruiting profile, solidifying her legacy as a pivotal figure in college .

Professional career

LPGA Tour entry and early years

Olson turned professional in June 2013 following her graduation from , where her record 20 collegiate victories provided a strong foundation for her transition to the pro ranks. That fall, she competed in the , finishing fourth at the final stage to secure her LPGA Tour card and Priority List Category 12 status for the 2014 season, granting her conditional membership with limited access to full-field events. In her 2014 rookie season, Olson faced the challenges typical of conditional status, relying on sponsor exemptions and Monday qualifiers to gain entry into tournaments; she made just four starts, advancing to only one weekend with a T61 finish at the Marathon Classic and earning $4,804 in official prize money. This limited schedule highlighted the adjustment from college golf's structured opportunities to the professional circuit's competitive and financial demands, where securing consistent playing time required strong performances amid travel and sponsorship uncertainties. Her earnings that year, though modest, positioned her to regain full exempt status for 2015 through the LPGA's performance-based priority system. Olson's 2015 season marked a significant step forward, with 21 starts, 14 cuts made (a 67% success rate), and official earnings of $131,282, ranking her 81st on the money list. She recorded her first LPGA top-10 finish, a T8 at the LPGA Classic, demonstrating growing consistency despite no victories on the main tour or developmental circuits during these initial years. Initial sponsorships, including support from regional brands tied to her roots, helped offset early career expenses as she built her professional profile.

Career highlights and major results

Olson's most notable performances in major championships came in the form of two runner-up finishes. At the 2018 , she seized the lead after a third-round 65, posting a bogey-free effort to reach 14-under par, but a final-round double bogey on the 18th hole left her tied for second at 11-under, one stroke behind winner Angela Stanford. In the 2020 , Olson carded a first-round 67 highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-3 16th hole from 139 yards, taking the solo lead at 4-under; she finished tied for second at 2-under, one stroke shy of champion , in her fourth appearance in the event. Throughout her professional career, Olson secured 13 top-10 finishes across 191 Tour starts but did not record a victory, accumulating $2.7 million in official earnings. Her play remained steady from 2016 to 2023, with standout seasons including 2018 (four top-10s in 24 starts, 19 cuts made) and 2020 (three top-10s in 16 starts, 13 cuts made). She made the cut in 20 of 35 major championship appearances during this period, underscoring her reliability in high-stakes events. Among her personal bests, Olson posted a career-low round of 67 as a in 2014, while her 65 in the third round of the 2018 stands as her lowest in a major.
YearTournamentFinishNotes
2018T2Led after 54 holes; 65 in Round 3
2020T2Hole-in-one in Round 1; led after 18 holes

Team appearances

Olson did not represent the in the during her professional career, despite aspirations to do so and near selections in multiple years. In , she was on the bubble for the team based on the Women's World Golf Rankings but did not make the final roster for the event at Gleneagles in . Similarly, in 2021, Olson finished as the highest-ranked American player not selected for the in , where captain Pat Hurst opted for other captain's picks. Upon announcing her retirement in 2024, she reflected that playing in the remained an unrealized goal, underscoring its significance to her career ambitions. She also did not qualify for the women's golf competition at the in 2016, 2020 (held in 2021), or 2024. The U.S. team for Rio 2016 included , , and , while the 2020 Tokyo squad featured , , , and ; for Paris 2024, it comprised , , and . No other major international professional team events, such as the UL , included Olson in their rosters during her tenure from 2013 to 2023. The lack of team representations meant she did not experience the collaborative dynamics of match-play formats against or in global competitions, though her consistent individual performances kept her in contention for such opportunities and enhanced her visibility within the American community.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Amy Olson married Grant Olson on June 14, 2017, in a ceremony at Rustic Oaks in . Grant, a former All-American linebacker at (NDSU), where both attended college, serves as the and linebackers coach for the NDSU Bison football team. The couple, who met as students at NDSU, has balanced their athletic careers—Amy in professional and Grant in coaching—with mutual encouragement, including Grant providing emotional support during challenging tournament periods. The Olsons welcomed their first child, daughter Carly Gray Olson, on September 15, 2023. Seven months pregnant at the time, Amy competed in the at , walking the course and finishing tied for 60th to inspire other women balancing motherhood and professional ambitions. Their family grew further with the birth of their second daughter, Sarah Olson, on April 21, 2025. Throughout Amy's career, Grant and their provided steadfast support, traveling to events and offering perspective that influenced her priorities, such as emphasizing time over extended tour commitments. Their shared Christian has also guided their approach to life, fostering values of gratitude and service.

Faith and public persona

Amy Olson has openly shared her deep Christian faith, which serves as a foundational element of her personal and professional life. She frequently references scripture in her public communications, including John 3:16 in her bio and Proverbs 3:5-6 in her bio, emphasizing themes of trust in and eternal life. During the 2020 , Olson drew strength from her faith amid the sudden death of her father-in-law, posting about relying on the Lord's guidance and citing John 5:24 to affirm her belief in salvation through Christ. In reflections on life priorities, she has described submitting to will as essential for navigating challenges, ensuring alignment with truth and purpose. Olson was homeschooled through high school in her hometown of , , a small rural community that provided a focused environment for her early athletic development. This educational background enabled her to enter at age 17 while maintaining a strong emphasis on family-oriented values. Her faith, nurtured in this setting, integrates seamlessly with her family life, where she and her husband prioritize spiritual growth together. Olson's public persona is characterized by authenticity and , particularly through her active social media presence on platforms like (@amyolsongolf) and X (@AmyOlsonGolf), where she connects with fans by sharing career updates, personal reflections, and faith-based encouragement. She has become a prominent voice for women's issues in , criticizing policies that allow male athletes who have undergone to compete in women's events, arguing that such changes undermine fairness and the integrity of female categories established by the LPGA's founders. In 2023, her pro-life and Christian views sparked media controversy when a golf publication declined to run a story on her due to its religious elements, leading to a writer's . Olson's extends to supporting organizations like the Independent Women's Forum, where she serves as an ambassador promoting equity in . Outside of golf, Olson pursues diverse hobbies that provide balance and relaxation, including and , solving puzzles, reading, and —a sport she embraced as an off-season passion during the disruptions, noting its accessibility and enjoyment as a break from golf's intensity. Her philanthropic efforts focus on global humanitarian causes, notably through a partnership with Golf Fore , founded by legend Betsy King, where she has helped fund clean water wells in rural Zambian villages and traveled to to witness the impact on communities. These initiatives reflect her commitment to using her platform for positive change beyond the course.

Retirement and legacy

Retirement announcement

On April 24, 2024, Amy Olson announced her retirement from professional golf through a social media post on Instagram, bringing an end to her 10-year career on the LPGA Tour spanning 2014 to 2023. Her final tournament was the 2023 U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where she competed while seven months pregnant with her first child. This declaration signified her official withdrawal from competitive play, closing a professional era that included two runner-up finishes in major championships. The announcement garnered immediate positive attention from the community, with media outlets like Golfweek and the Tour website publishing tributes that celebrated her perseverance and planned transition to family life.

Post-professional activities

Following her retirement from professional in 2024, Amy Olson prioritized motherhood as her primary focus, having long envisioned a career arc that included a decade on the Tour followed by life. She welcomed her first child, Carly, in September 2023 and has since described the transition as aligning with her pre-planned goals, emphasizing that commitments took precedence over continued competition. In December 2024, Olson and her husband announced they were expecting their second child in 2025. In 2024, Olson emerged as a vocal advocate for protecting the integrity of , particularly in . As an for the Independent Women's Forum (IWF), she publicly opposed LPGA policies that permitted male-born athletes, after and gender-reassignment surgery, to compete in women's events, arguing they created an unfair advantage and threatened opportunities for female competitors. In a November 2024 interview with IW Features, she stated, "These boundaries are essential and we can’t allow our compassion to be weaponized against us," highlighting concerns over competitive equity, safety in shared spaces like locker rooms, and the potential discouragement of young girls from participating if fairness is undermined. Her advocacy contributed to broader discussions that influenced policy changes, including the and USGA's December 2024 decisions to restrict elite women's competitions to those assigned female at birth. Olson has also engaged in media roles to amplify women's issues in sports, appearing in interviews and IWF-produced content to share her perspectives on policies and the value of female-only categories. Her legacy extends to inspiring future generations of female golfers, particularly as a trailblazing alumna of (NDSU), where she set a program record with 20 collegiate victories and earned Female Golfer of the Year honors multiple times. NDSU head coach Matt Johnson noted that Olson's achievements continue to positively influence current players, serving as a model of excellence from a small-town background to major championship contention.

References

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