Bloomfield, Connecticut (June 3, 2026) – A pair of amateurs, Yvette O’Brien (Greenwich, CT) and Dixon Hill (Waite Hill, OH), both carded even-par 72s in the first round of the 27th Connecticut Women’s Open to share the lead. Players were hopping up and down the leaderboard, with the standings seeming to change every few holes throughout an entertaining first day at Tumble Brook County Club.
Results I Photo Gallery I Video Recap
A number of players found their name atop the leaderboard on day one, including Ellen Ceresko (Scranton, PA) and 2023 champion Samantha Morrell (West Warwick, RI), but both would slide back to 1-over and a tie for third.
Final Round Live Stream Begins at 11:30 a.m. (approx.)
For Dixon Hill, her opening round was more than just a number; it was a check on the refinements to her game that she has been working on over the course of the summer. Her scorecard had its good runs, then a couple of wobbles, so it became a live demo of what she’s been rehearsing lately.
“I feel like I’ve been working a lot on my mental game, and being able to be consistent in golf, you have to have a strong mental game,” Dixon Hill said. “Every time I felt like I was getting out of my ideal mental state, I would remind myself and do the things I’ve been working on to try to get back into that ideal state.”
Hill also credited Tumble Brook’s layout as a factor in the scoring, noting that course management was key to giving herself opportunities.
“This course really requires good course management,” the rising Harvard sophomore said, “and if you can get that down, you can give yourself really good opportunities to score.”
Looking ahead to the final round, Hill plans to lean on the same approach that got her through a demanding day.
“Just keep playing how I’ve been playing,” she said. “Focus on the things that are in my control – that will be a good strategy going into tomorrow.”
Yvette O’Brien, meanwhile, closed her round on a high note, making a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th to salvage her even-par card. She was candid about a day that didn’t quite go the way she envisioned.
“I definitely left a lot of putts out there, didn’t have much momentum going,” 2025 Connecticut Women’s Amateur winner Yvette O’Brien said, “but birdieing the last was great, so I’m feeling good for tomorrow. Can’t be too mad about an even score.”
Despite the inconsistency, O’Brien pointed to her tee-to-green game as a bright spot.
“I drove the ball really well, hit a lot of fairways,” the TCU rising sophomore said. “I hit a couple of par fives in two that really helped with my scoring on those holes.”
Her formula for the final round will be pretty simple. “Just staying as positive as I can and have good body language. As long as I stay committed 100% to all of my shots, I know I can. And if it doesn’t go my way, I just keep moving.”
Joining Ceresko and Morell at 1-over in a tie for third are Maisie Filler (Hartford GC) and Hailey Katona (Rutland, VT).
With the 27th Connecticut Women’s Open still very much up for grabs, Thursday’s final round has the feel of a real tussle from the opening tee shot until the final putt.
The final round of the 27th Connecticut Women’s Open will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning. When play begins, both Hill and O’Brien will be looking to become the first amateur winner since Alexsandra Lapple in 2022.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Women’s Open is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
