Gabby Lemieux didn’t make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament, but she did make history.
Lemieux (Shoshone-Paiute Tribe) became the first Native American to play in the 76-year-old tournament, which was held June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Lemieux finished far from the cutline after rounds of 82-81, but that didn’t dampen her attitude.

“I may not have came out firing with my A game this time, but next time… I’m going to be prepared. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to be the first Native American in the US Women’s Open. Words cannot describe how I am feeling,” she wrote on Twitter.

Her 36 holes included two birdies, which came on par 3s on the first day, and 15 pars.

Before the tournament, Lemieux told KTVB-TV in Boise, Idaho, that playing in the U.S. Women’s Open is “a goal that I’ve been chasing ever since I was six when I started this game.”

“To have a chance to play in a major at [age] 25 and not to have LPGA Tour status – but still trying to chase it – is really all I’ve been looking for,” she said.

Lemieux grew up in Idaho and played college golf at Texas Tech University. She has been on the LPGA minor league tour – now known as the Epson Tour – since 2018.

She earned her way into the U.S. Women’s Open by winning the only available spot in a one-day qualifier May 9 in Chaska, Minnesota. She shot 71-72 to win medalist honors by one stroke. Her second round included four birdies.

Lemieux didn’t get a bounce from her Open appearance. She missed the cut in her next two Epson Tour tournaments in mid-June. She has made five of 10 cuts this season, including a season best T13 at the Inova Mission Inn Resort & Club Championship in May.

The Epson Tour wraps up its season with the tour championship Oct. 6-9 at LPGA International’s Jones Course in Daytona Beach.