Ana Belac wins U.S. Women's Open qualifier in Florida

The Wilderness Country Club in Naples, Florida, was easy terrain on Wednesday, May 6, for Slovenian pro golfer Ana Belac.

Belac shot a 6-under par 65 on the second 18 to win the U.S. Women’s Open 36-hole qualifying tournament, punching her ticket for America’s national championship in one month.

Belac, 29, beat Spain’s amateur Paula Francisco by six strokes. As the top 2 finishers, Belac and Francisco will be in the field at the Women’s Open next month at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Ana Belac was the medalist at the Women's U.S. Open qualifier at Wilderness Country Club in Naples on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Francisco led after the first 18 holes after carding a 68 on the 5,725-yard, par-71 layout. Belac trailed by a shot but then enjoyed a brilliant second 18.

Belac surprised many people at Wilderness – including herself.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of expectations, cause I’ve never made it through a qualifier,” Belac said. “But I was able to stick to my own game, and had some experience in the LPGA Tour for five years. So a lot of experience paid off today.”

Belac was the only golfer in the 56-player field to break 70 on both 18-hole rounds.

The low American in the field was Jenny Suh Thompson, who shot an aggregate 1-under par 141. Thompson and Louisane Gauthier came in third and fourth and will be alternates at Riviera, the home of the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational and the host for golf in the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Belac felt her short game may have made short work of the rest of the field.

“I feel I was really solid with my wedges. I felt if I drove it well, I could set up my wedges,” Belac said. “My putter got hot, so I was able to take advantage of opportunities to score. Today was a good reset, and I felt good things could happen out there if I just relaxed and played my game.”