
Emily Odwin’s story is as vibrant and powerful as the turquoise waters that surround her native Barbados. From the moment she learned to swim at just four years old, the ocean became her playground and sanctuary—a place where she could relax, reflect, and recharge. Now, at 21, that same calm, confident energy flows through her golf swing as she prepares to make history at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Growing up in Barbados’ St. James parish, Odwin embraced a life filled with sports. While cricket and track and field dominate Barbadian culture, she charted her own path, diving into everything from long-distance swimming to karate—where she earned a brown belt. Golf, with its limited presence on the island (only six courses in total), wasn’t an obvious choice. But watching Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth with her father, Edward, lit a spark. With no Barbadian golf icons to look up to, she became her own inspiration.
That self-belief paid off. This week, Odwin becomes the first golfer from Barbados—man or woman—to ever compete in a U.S. Open, She emerged from final qualifying to play in the major at Erin Hills in Wisconsin and will be teeing it up as an amateur at the prestigious Erin Hills course in Wisconsin. It’s not just a personal milestone; it’s a historic moment for her country. “I just want to show kids back home that golf is a real possibility,” she said in an interview with Golf Digest.
Her journey hasn’t been easy. Odwin had to travel far beyond Barbados, mostly to the U.S., to find competitive opportunities. She made waves in 2021 by qualifying for both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Girls’ Junior in the same year—a first for a Barbadian. Now, she’ll test her powerful game on one of golf’s biggest stages. Known for her long drives—20 to 30 yards beyond her peers—Odwin combines athleticism with finesse. She still carries a 3-iron and can shape shots with precision most players only dream of.
Behind her rise is a tightly knit support system known as “Team Emily.” Her parents, coaches, the Barbados Golf Association, the Olympic Association, and countless friends pooled resources, belief, and love to help her chase her dream. Her longtime coach, Denny Foster, started working with her at age 11 and has been by her side ever since, including at Erin Hills this week.
“She always had the ambition to play on the LPGA Tour,” says Foster. “She never wavered. She gave up all her other sports to focus on golf.”
Odwin’s laid-back island roots remain at her core. Nicknamed “Barb” by her college teammates at SMU, she balances her competitive fire with a calm, smooth demeanor. “She walks like she’s on the beach in Barbados,” says her caddie and assistant coach Carly Ludwig. That vibe may serve her well under Open pressure.
Wearing an embroidered Barbados flag on her shirt, Odwin carries an entire island’s dreams with her. For kids watching back home, she’s more than just a golfer—she’s proof that even from a small island, the world is wide open.