Ayaka Furue lost to South Korea's Ji Eun-hee 3-and-2 in the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play final in Shadow Creek, Las Vegas, on Sunday afternoon.
Ji, winner of the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, played seven matches over five days to claim the last spot in next week's U.S. Women's Open field. Furue failed in her bid for a first career LPGA victory but secured her highest finish on U.S. soil.
"I think I did well," said Furue, a 22-year-old who joined the U.S. LPGA Tour this season.
"It was good I remained in title contention until the very end. I'm a bit disappointed that I struggled with both my short and long game in the final. I'm about 95% satisfied. I want to play (the U.S. Open) next week with as much confidence."
Ji advanced to the final by beating Andrea Lee 4-and-3 in Sunday morning's semifinals. Furue moved on with a 2-and-1 win over Lilia Vu. Vu then defeated fellow American Lee to claim third place.
The U.S. Women's Open, the second of the year's five women's majors, will be contested June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.