Experience is proving the best remedy for nerves for amateur Kiara Romero. The University of Oregon junior entered the week at Memorial Park Golf Course as the frontrunner in the LEAP standings with 14 points.

Competing in her third career major, Romero opened The Chevron Championship on Thursday with a 1-under 71. Despite a few late stumbles, the standout amateur credited her approach game and a growing familiarity with the professional stage for her performance.

"I feel like every part of my game was kind of working well today," Romero said. "Didn't really make any mistakes out there up until the last few holes. My game was pretty solid all the way through."

Appearing in her fifth professional event overall, Romero noted that the course layout played to her strengths, specifically the precision required with the approach shots and navigating the difficult greens.

"The hardest part of this course, I feel like, is the greens and kind of navigating that from your approach shot and knowing where to land the ball," said Romero. "With my approach game, I feel like that’s my best part of my game. Even today it wasn’t the greatest for me but still had a good round out there."

Reflecting on her debut in major championships, she noted that the environment of elite professional golf, including large galleries and television coverage, has become significantly more manageable.

"Compared to my first time ever competing in a major, I was super nervous obviously. I was pretty young,” said Romero. “But just being out here and knowing the experience and kind of knowing what it's going to be like some of the best players in the world and playing in front of a crowd and playing on TV, just kind of knowing what's ahead and what's going to be there, I think it's definitely a lot more comfortable for me."

Romero has been a consistent presence in professional fields over the last year, earning at least one LEAP point in each of her three LPGA Tour appearances at the U.S. Women’s Open, The Standard Portland Classic, and the CPKC Women’s Open.

She is the only amateur in the field to secure three points by reaching No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Additionally, she earned four points for her 2025 win of the Mark H. McCormack Medal.

Romero enters the second round looking to build on her position and continue her streak of strong play against the world's best.

Amateur Kiara Romero Finds Comfort Zone at The Chevron Championship

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