When the U.S. Women's Open tees off next month at the iconic Riviera Country Club, golfers will face a stern test. But for two determined qualifiers, the brutal conditions they conquered this week might make Riviera feel like a walk in the park.

In temperatures soaring near 100 degrees with dry, gusting winds that only intensified throughout the day, LPGA veteran Lucy Li and recent college standout Kaylyn Noh battled through a grueling 36-hole qualifier at Bermuda Dunes Country Club. Both finished at 1-under 143 to secure the final two spots into the national championship field.

"The morning 18 was really nice and I felt like we were going to breeze through it, and on the back nine the winds kicked up and the greens got even crustier," said Li, who at just 23 years old will be playing in her sixth U.S. Women's Open. "Today was a real grind."

Li opened with a sparkling 3-under 69 in the morning round on a course that once hosted the PGA Tour's Bob Hope Classic. But the afternoon brought a different story, as she fought to a 74. Needing par on the closing par-5 18th, Li's drive went awry, forcing a punch-out. From there, she hit a third shot to 10 feet, somehow stopping the ball on greens that hadn't been watered in two days despite temperatures nearing 110 degrees. Two putts later, she was in.

Noh, who turned professional after graduating from the University of California last year, brought her own fireworks. She closed her morning round with a stunning birdie-birdie-eagle stretch, providing a spark that carried her through the afternoon heat. This will be her first U.S. Women's Open appearance.

"It was really, really tough," Noh admitted. "We got to the golf course a little later than we expected, but we hung in there."

Christine Wang of Houston finished one shot back at 144, making her the first alternate for the championship. For Li and Noh, however, the reward is a spot in the field—and a story of perseverance that will make their Open debut all the sweeter.