Augusta National Women’s Amateur runner-up Bailey Shoemaker has historic final round

Bailey Shoemaker rewrote the record book.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/rQN2tY4BEnhaA3AcY0c3/1712441695430_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ib2ppdTRtdHVsZTJlZXJsb25icXVjbTJibW5tdGF5enQiIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMyNyI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bailey Shoemaker rewrote the record book Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club.

The University of Southern California freshman put together a bogey-free 6-under-par 66 to finish runner-up in the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It was the lowest final round in the history of the tournament.

Not bad for a first competitive round at Augusta, though it’s important to note she was also a Drive, Chip & Putt finalist in 2018.

Even though she was the clubhouse leader at 7 under for much of the afternoon, it wasn’t enough to overcome Florida State sophomore Lottie Woad. Woad finished birdie-birdie, sealing the deal on No. 18 to take the crown. Despite not winning, nothing is taken away from Shoemaker’s historic round.

“I’m obviously disappointed, but at the end of the day, I played about as good as I could have,” she said. “Maybe a couple of putts could have dropped. But I made just about everything too. It is what it is.”

ANWA: Lottie Woad’s victory in photos

The 19-year-old came into Saturday four shots off the lead. While she may not have had a record-breaking round in mind, she knew she needed to play well.

“I didn’t have a set score in my head, but I thought around 3-under would be pretty good,” she said. “Everybody wants to win, but I was just hoping for a top five or a good finish this week. Once the putts started going in, I thought there might be a chance. So I just kept it rolling.”

Shoemaker finished with 33s on both the first and second nines, highlighted by a birdie on the par-3 No. 16. She finished the afternoon with six birdies and no bogeys.

ANWA: This local college golfer played as a marker

“On 16, I was in between clubs. I went up a club,” she said. “I was trying to get like five yards right, go up,take the hill, pulled it. Good club, I guess. Just barely carried on the front edge, and it was good. A nice little birdiefrom five feet.”

This was Shoemaker’s first made ANWA cut in three tries, and she’s taking a mature approach to the outcome, even though it didn’t go the way she may have envisioned.

“Just another opportunity where I’ve been in the hunt and in position to win a tournament,” she said. “It’s been a while for me, but it’s OK. Especially at Augusta National, it was fun. It was exciting. Good test of pressure for myself, I feel like. It’s always good to put yourself in that position and see how you perform.”

Many of the lessons learned this week will come in handy during the rest of her season at USC.

“I learned that I can be patient and I can take a moment. Really been working on sport psych and just letting go, accepting, just whatever happens, happens,” she said. “Once you get to the next shot, nothing’s happened before that and just really got to focus on the next one. I was really proud of myself today. I was super patient. Forgot what was happening almost, just focused on what’s happening right now. Not worried about the future or what’s happened in the past.”

‘What a proper finish’: Caddie for ANWA champion Lottie Woad sees star pull off big rally for title

“I can’t wait to tell Billy Foster, ‘Caddying isn’t all that hard.'”

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Gripping tightly to a yellow flag, Steve Robinson stood near the Augusta National Clubhouse Oak tree.

“This is going to hang in my office in Yorkshire,” said Robinson, who caddied Lottie Woad to victory in the fifth annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Saturday.

The 61-year-old serves as England’s national coach and works as the performance guru for countryman Matt Fitzpatrick.

Following the win, Robinson was quick to jab at Fitzpatrick’s longtime looper, Billy Foster.

“I can’t wait to tell Billy Foster, ‘Caddying isn’t all that hard,’” Robinson said. “I mean, what a proper finish. I’ve known Lottie since she was 14, and she’s always had the attributes to be the best player she could be.”

ANWA: Lottie Woad’s victory in photos

Woad began the day four shots clear of Bailey Shoemaker but, after the American carded a bogey-free 66, Woad trailed by two with five holes to play.

“We went through every situation (Friday night),” Robinson said. “We were mentally prepared to be chasing.”

And chase Lottie did.

The Florida State sophomore birdied Nos. 15, 17 and 18 to capture a one-stroke victory.

“After (Lottie) bogeyed No. 13, we had a discussion,” Robinson said. “Nothing you can print.”

Robinson laughed, and then finished his thought.

“I basically said, ‘Don’t get too down.’ I said it in a Yorkshire way.”

Local college golfer played as a marker during Augusta National Women’s Amateur: ‘Another amazing experience’

Taya Buxton’s trip around Augusta National Golf Club was a little more enjoyable this time around.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Taya Buxton’s trip around Augusta National Golf Club was a little more enjoyable this time around.

For the second year in a row, Buxton, who plays for Augusta’s Paine College, got the call to be a marker in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur final round on Saturday.

“I did a lot better than I did last time,” the 19-year-old sophomore said. “Probably mid- to high 70s. I did pick up (not finish a hole) for pace of play but other than that I had some good shots out there. I parred 12, which I was excited about. I hit a great shot there.”

Her best chance for a birdie came on the difficult 14th hole, but her attempt lipped out.

At the ANWA, a marker is used when there is an uneven number of players in the final round. That way, the first player off the tee doesn’t have to play by herself, and the marker keeps her scorecard. The marker does not post a score and is encouraged to pick up on a few holes so she doesn’t have a regulation round.

ANWA: Lottie Woad’s victory in photos

Since Buxton had her name on the back of her caddie’s jumpsuit, just like the rest of the field, most fans assumed she was one of the participants.

“Yeah, same thing as last year except when I picked up the ball. They probably wondered, ‘What’s she doing?’” Buxton said.

The first two rounds of this tournament were played at Evans’ Champions Retreat. After Thursday’s second round, the top 30 and ties from the starting field of 72 advanced to play the final round at Augusta National.

Thirty-five players qualified and, since twosomes are used in the final round, Buxton knew the odd number meant she would be the marker. If the final round had used threesomes, as was the case at Champions Retreat, a marker would not have been needed. The first group off the tee would have been a twosome.

“I was watching the scores, but my dad saw it before I did. He called me and said, ‘Oh my Goodness, you made it.’ I said ‘Wow.’”

Buxton was first off the tee on Saturday with Lauren Kim, a Texas freshman. The pair clicked and Kim shot 1-under 71 – one of just eight under-par scores on the day – and moved from a six-way tie for 30th to tie for 14th place.

“We talked a lot,” Buxton said. “She was super sweet, super nice. She played really well today. She’s very good. It was great playing with her.”

Augusta National had reached out to Buxton “a couple of weeks ago” to tell her to be prepared if needed.

She got the official word on about 5 p.m. Friday, she said.

“They said get ready to play tomorrow,” Buxton said.

And she was, thanks to her experience from a year ago.

“Last year basically kind of took most of the nerves (away),” she said. “I had some nerves on the first tee box but after that I was kind of zeroed in. Competition. My swing was pretty dialed today, I would say.”

Buxton’s father, Todd, and her grandparents made the 10-hour drive from their home in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday in order to see Taya play. That same group was on hand last year. Also like last year, she made sure they all drove in one car so everyone could enjoy the trip down Magnolia Lane with her.

This USC golf signee tied an Augusta National Women’s Amateur record in final round

Jasmine Koo is leaving Augusta National with hardware.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/rQN2tY4BEnhaA3AcY0c3/1712441695430_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ib2ppdTRtdHVsZTJlZXJsb25icXVjbTJibW5tdGF5enQiIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMyNyI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Jasmine Koo is leaving Augusta National with hardware.

The 18-year-old had a rollercoaster round on Saturday at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, which began with a birdie at No. 2, followed by bogey, double-bogey, bogey on holes 4-6.

The University of Southern California signee righted the ship, however, with eagles on Nos. 8 and 15.

Koo earned two pairs of crystal highball glasses for the accomplishment.

“I played three really bad holes, was 3-over for the day, and I looked at my caddie and said, ‘Let’s just enjoy every shot,’” Koo said.

That’s what happened.

Competing in her first ANWA, Koo finished the event at 3-under par, which proved good enough for fourth place.

“I began the round super nervous,” Koo admitted. “I’ve never been to an event with so many patrons, and I made a few hiccups early. But, honestly, after making those mistakes it took the pressure off.”

ANWA: Photos from Augusta National

On the par-5 8th hole, the teenager hit a 3-wood to 25 feet and sank the eagle putt.

At No. 15, Koo knocked down a 4-wood from 194 yards, leaving 12 feet for eagle.

“My caddie (Colby Albert) and I had a disagreement about the line,” Koo said. “I saw less break, and he thought it broke more.”

Albert, a local looper at Augusta National, saw the correct break, and convinced his player to play the line.

“When that eagle went in, it was the loudest roar I’ve heard in my life,” Koo said. “I just smiled and gave a strong fist pump.”

Koo joins Ingrid Lindblad (2022) as the only ANWA player with two eagles in the final round.

Gritty Lottie Woad scripts sublime finish, captures Augusta National Women’s Amateur title

“I was hoping it was going to be like a nice, stress-free day.”

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/rQN2tY4BEnhaA3AcY0c3/1712441695430_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ib2ppdTRtdHVsZTJlZXJsb25icXVjbTJibW5tdGF5enQiIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMyNyI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Lottie Woad typically calls an Uber on Saturday mornings around 7:30 a.m. to get a lift to the golf course. The Florida State sophomore doesn’t have a car in the U.S., and while most college students her age are hitting snooze, Woad hits the practice facility. The Englishwoman’s work ethic is legendary.

“You think you work hard, and she works 10 times harder,” said teammate Charlotte Heath. “We have pros at our club, and Lottie outworks them all.”

When the moment came for that meticulous preparation to pay off on one of the biggest stages at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the lion-hearted Woad delivered a finish for the ages.

After USC’s Bailey Shoemaker posted a course-record 6-under 66 to take the clubhouse lead at 7 under, Woad birdied three of the last four holes to overtake her. Woad joined Arnold Palmer in 1960 and Mark O’Meara in 1998 as champions at Augusta National Golf Club who birdied their final two holes to win by one shot.

“I was hoping it was going to be like a nice, stress-free day,” said Woad, “but it was far from that. In the end, it’s a cooler way to finish.”

ANWA: Photos from Augusta National

Woad had English national coach Steve Robinson on the bag, and the pair put together a meticulous plan to attack the final round. They knew which hole locations they wanted to play short, and which ones were better to be long. With Woad’s magnificent approach play all week, most of the time, things went according to plan.

The mess of a bogey on the par-5 13th, however, proved an exception. Robinson gave her a pep talk after that hole and again on the 14th, though he wouldn’t divulge what was said.

The Augusta National Women’s Amateur is unique in that the 36-hole leader must sleep on the lead not one but two nights. Robinson said they talked about the fact someone would come for her. Even though she led by two going into the final round, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had to chase down the stretch.

Woad did her best to embrace it.

“If been told before this week that I’d be two back with four to play, I would have been like, yeah, perfect, that sounds great,” said Woad. “To be in the mix on the back nine at Augusta is something that everyone dreams about.”

When Shoemaker approached the 18th green on Saturday – five groups ahead of Woad – fans seemed almost oblivious to the kind of round she’d put together. They offered a polite applause as she walked up to the green with a few muffled whoops.

A brilliant two-putt from the back of the green brought a little more reaction. But it wasn’t until a man raised both hands and yelled “Six under! Great round!” that Shoemaker finally started to get a proper reaction for a record day.

She gave one more glance back at the giant scoreboard on No. 18 as she walked off the green, leading by one.

Woad, ever the board-watcher herself, knew exactly what needed to be done.

2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur
Lottie Woad reacts after sinking the winning putt on no. 18 during the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Bone began working with Woad at Farnham Golf Club when she was 7 years old. Bone, 37, has had to up his teaching game as Woad upped hers, though he still works with the 80-year-olds at the club as well as the up-and-coming teens.

Over the years, Bone preserved the unique patterns of Woad’s powerful swing and focused mainly on the hitting area, making sure that she was stable with the clubface through impact so that she could control her ball-flight and shot shape.

Woad won the 2022 British Girls’ Amateur at Carnoustie before coming to Florida State, a move that has given her more months to practice on quality greens. If there’s a weakness in her game, it’s her putting, which is where she spent most of her time coming into this week.

This week, and Saturday in particular, stands out as one of the best weeks she’s had on the greens.

“Thankfully, it came at the right time,” she said.

Bond describes Woad as a player with a strong golf IQ who thrives on competition. Once a month she gets on a call with Bone to talk about Woad’s game. Woad has such a good handle on her game that Bond told her earlier this spring that they’re going to start getting super nitpicky.

“She’s always going to push to be the best,” said Bond.

ANWA: Lottie Woad’s victory in photos

Woad drained a 15-footer for birdie on the par-5 15th to pull within one and narrowly missed a good look on the 16th to tie. She’d get another chance on the 17th after hitting a wedge from 104 yards to 12 feet.

After piping another brilliant drive, she hit a little 9-iron from 130 pin high and poured in another 15-footer to close with a 69 and an 8-under total. World No. 1 Ingrid Lindblad notched her third top-three finish at this event, finishing alone in third, four back. She stayed at LSU for a fifth year, in part, for one more shot at winning this event.

“I feel every time I come in here, I just have a smile on my face,” said Lindblad. “It doesn’t matter how it goes. You’re happy to be here.”

Bond, who was standing behind the 18th when the putt dropped, threw both hands in the air, calling it “big time.”

“The kid’s just got the ‘it’ factor,” she said.

2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur
Lottie Woad speaks during a ceremony following the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Woad’s 85-year-old grandmother made the trip to America to watch her play and caught most of the action on Saturday. She’d been taking long walks back in England to prepare the week.

Marian was there on the 18th along with Woad’s father and an aunt. Younger sister Milly had exams and stayed said back in England with mom.

“I hope they enjoyed it,” she quipped during the trophy ceremony.

With the win, Woad receives exemptions into four of the five LPGA majors, including the Chevron Championship two weeks from now. The Chevron happens to fall on the same dates as the ACC Championship, which means Woad will soon have a tough decision to make.

Asked early in the week what makes Woad unique, Robinson said she’s prepared to pay the price to be successful.

It paid off handsomely. The gritty Woad scripted a sublime finish at Augusta National that won’t soon be forgotten.

Photos: 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club

Get an early look at Augusta National before the Masters.

It’s time for Augusta National Golf Club to take the spotlight.

The 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur has moved to Augusta National, with a Friday practice round for all 72 golfers in the field. Come Saturday, it’s time for the final round, where the 35 who made the cut will battle it out on the famed grounds for one of the biggest amateur titles in the world.

For the first time, all participants will be able to play the Par 3 Course during the practice round Friday. It’s the first time many will get a look at the revamped layout. It’s also an opportunity for those who get to play on Saturday to get their final prep work in.

ANWA: Saturday tee times

Here’s a look at the best photos from the practice round and final round of the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club.

How elite amateurs Emilia Migliaccio and Rachel Heck are making their peers think twice about the future

“It’s crazy how much pressure people feel at this level to go pro.”

EVANS, Ga. — Emilia Migliaccio was a teenager when she first came to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Now, she’s a 24-year-old married woman with several jobs in television broadcasting and a part-time amateur player who just remarkably beat a bunch of full-time players to snag another tee time at Augusta National on Saturday.

Migliaccio’s road to becoming the only player to tee it up on all five editions of the ANWA was, as she says, not a straight line. After thinking in a straight line for so long – the steps of her golf career ascending naturally, almost inevitably, to the LPGA – life took a drastic turn.

Migliaccio decided not to pursue professional golf, just as 2017 NCAA champion Monica Vaughn had done a few years prior. Rachel Heck, the 2022 NCAA champion, recently announced her plans to forgo a professional career in a poignant essay.

“It’s crazy how much pressure people feel at this level to go pro,” said 2021 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Jensen Castle.

When Castle won the Women’s Amateur, she had no thoughts of turning pro. But suddenly people were asking if she planned to finish the year.

“What do you mean am I going to finish the year?” Castle would say. “I’m going to finish the next three.”

While Castle, a fifth-year senior at Kentucky, does now plan to turn professional in May, she understands and respects why her Curtis Cup teammates have made other plans.

In fact, Castle believes that Heck’s essay detailing her decision will change lives.

“She’s inspiring a lot of other people to do other things,” said Castle.

Monica Vaughn and Janet Mao NCAA Golf
Monica Vaughn and Janet Mao

When Monica Vaughn Fisher withdrew from LPGA Q-School seven years ago, she became the first NCAA champion to forgo a professional career before it even started since the NCAA started crowning them in 1982.

Fisher worked as a college coach at Oregon before taking a job in fundraising and becoming a mom to son Cosmos. Growing up playing volleyball and basketball in high school, Vaughn loved being part of a team. Professional golf was never really the goal.

Heck, however, wanted to be the best in the world. That was the goal from an early age. But as the injuries piled on and she found other interests, Heck began to realize that she didn’t want the lifestyle of a professional golfer. She didn’t want to live on the road and in the public eye. She no longer dreamed of winning a U.S. Women’s Open and getting into the LPGA Hall of Fame. What’s more, she realized that those dreams were never what her dad had intended when he first put a club in her hand.

On Thursday at Champions Retreat, the tears flowed as a crushing finish down the stretch cost Heck one more Saturday round with dad at Augusta National. She took a few extra minutes to compose herself before meeting with the press.

“I mean, it’s not the way you want to see it end,” she said.

The golf isn’t over, of course. Heck still plans to compete in amateur golf and, as she does, she’ll be a reminder of another path.

“I think we always tried to be balanced,” said Heck’s father, Robert. “Sports in general and golf, in particular, are very fickle. Even when she was on top, we knew it could end at any point.”

The Hecks wanted to make sure that Rachel had other interests, and she found plenty. When she graduates from Stanford this spring, she’ll also be pinned as a Lieutenant of the United States Air Force.

In recent days, Heck’s peers have approached to say thank you for being a voice that says golf isn’t everything. Parents have reached out to say how helpful they found her words.

“All that has meant the world,” she said.

Emilia Migliaccio of the United States talks with her caddie on the second hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

When Migliaccio’s not calling golf, she often finds herself talking to young players who want advice on weighing their options. Professional golf is a lonely road, and as Castle points out, a difficult one for those wanting to start a family.

Tour veteran Amy Olson once said she believed more people struggle on tour because of a lack of community and loneliness than a technical problem in their swing or putting stroke.

For many, there’s no doubt that money plays a big role. The majority of college players who decide to turn pro will spend their first few years on the Epson Tour spending more money than they make.

“They don’t want to put their parents in debt,” said FSU coach Amy Bond, “and they don’t want to be in debt.”

To see decorated players like Heck, Migliaccio and Vaughn walk away from the grind of professional golf gives players of all levels permission to ask tough questions of themselves and have perhaps even tougher conversations with family.

With so many of today’s young players specializing in the game so early, Bond also notes that it’s easy to see how their hearts and their bodies simply get tired.

“People are falling out of love with the game as they keep going,” she said.

2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur
Amanda Sambach of the United States prior to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club, Monday, April 1, 2024. (Photo: Shanna Lockwood/Augusta National)

Virginia’s Amanda Sambach enters the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur three back of Lottie Woad. The former ACC champion said she can relate to Heck’s words.

“Obviously golf has brought me so far,” said Sambach in the lead-up to the ANWA.

“I mean, I love golf … but the thought of trying and traveling by myself for years and years and years without having your whole heart in the sport – the thought of it is scary to me.”

The 21-year-old junior isn’t sure how long she’ll give golf a try after she graduates, but she already knows that her family will support whatever decision she makes. If golf isn’t the future, she’d like to go into the medical field.

One thing is certain: There are options.

“You can still compete,”  said Migliaccio, “but it doesn’t have to be your whole life.”

2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Saturday final round tee times, TV information

Everything to know for the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/Gs0yp44B0B8mpaxKTK8H/1712202687698_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0iaTV6dGE2bHFncTJlZW1jY2hid3hheWx5am5rZXdvY2kiIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMyNyI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

It all comes down to this.

After starting her day with a bogey, Florida State sophomore Lottie Woad rebounded with five birdies and shot 1-under 71 to move to 5 under and lead by two heading into the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Sixteen-year-old Gianna Clemente and Florida senior Maisie Filler are tied for second at 3 under while Virginia junior Amanda Sambach is solo fourth at 2 under. Ingrid Lindblad paces a big group at T-5 and 1 under.

About half of the field, 35 players of 72, made the cut, but six of the top 10 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking went home early.

Now, the action moves to Augusta National Golf Club, where the fifth champion of the ANWA will be crowned.

ANWA: Best photos

Check out the tee times and pairings for the final round at Augusta National

MEET THE FIELD: Americans | Internationals

Saturday tee times

1st tee

Tee time Player
7:30 a.m. Lauren Kim
7:40 a.m.
Maria Jose Marin, Catherine Park
7:50 a.m.
Asterisk Talley, Farah O’Keefe
8 a.m.
Mamika Shinchi, Carla Bernat Escuder
8:10 a.m.
Rachel Kuehn, Hailee Cooper
8:20 a.m.
Amari Avery, Laney Frye
8:30 a.m.
Rin Yoshida, Emilia Migliaccio
8:40 a.m.
Andrea Revuelta, Kaysa Arwefjall
8:50 a.m.
Paula Martin Sampedro, Francesca Fiorellini
9 a.m.
Hinano Muguruma, Nora Sundberg
9:10 a.m.
Sayaka Teraoka, Cayetana Fernandez Garcia-Poggio
9:20 a.m.
Casey Weidenfeld, Megha Ganne
9:30 a.m.
Eila Galitsky, Bailey Shoemaker
9:40 a.m.
Hannah Darling, Jasmine Koo
9:50 a.m.
Louise Rydqvist, Hailey Borja
10 a.m .
Mirabel Ting, Ingrid Lindblad
10:10 a.m.
Maisie Filler, Amanda Sambach
10:20 a.m.
Lottie Woad, Gianna Clemente

TV information

Saturday, April 6

NBC: 12 p.m.-3 p.m. ET

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=451191880]

Anna Davis misses cut at Augusta National Women’s Amateur after devastating slow-play penalty

Davis was notified several times during the round that her group was out of position.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”https://cdn5.anyclip.com/ZNFxq44B0B8mpaxKTlfV/1712273750318_248x140_thumbnail.jpg” playlistId=”undefined” content=”PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vcGxheWVyLnBvcHRvay5jb20vYW55Y2xpcC13aWRnZXQvbHJlLXdpZGdldC9wcm9kL3YxL3NyYy9scmUuanMiIGRhdGEtYXI9IjE2OjkiIGRhdGEtcGxpZD0ibGpoZW02ZHJncTJlZW1jY2hid3hheWx5am5rZ3l6c3ciIHB1Ym5hbWU9IjE5OTgiIHdpZGdldG5hbWU9IjAwMTZNMDAwMDJVMEIxa1FBRl9NODMyNyI+Cjwvc2NyaXB0Pg==”][/anyclip-media]

EVANS, Georgia — For a second consecutive year, past champion Anna Davis was hit with a devastating penalty at the fifth edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. This time it was for slow play, and once again, she missed the cut.

Davis played alongside tournament leader Lottie Woad and Maria Jose Marin in the second round at Champions Retreat and was notified several times during the round that her group was out of position, said rules committee chair Jim Hyler in a tournament statement.

Davis, 18, received her first bad time after hitting her second shot on the fifth hole, and her second bad time after hitting her second shot on the 17th. She was assessed a one-stroke penalty, that was applied on the 17th hole, resulting in a bogey.

Davis shot 6-over 78 on a blustery day and finished at 4 over for the tournament, missing the cut by one stroke. The top-30 players and ties advance to the final round on Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Some time after the round, a tearful Davis emerged from the clubhouse on Thursday afternoon with her father but was too emotional to talk to a group of reporters, though she did flash a smile. It was still too raw.

Just yesterday, Davis was laughing with reporters about the cards that were passed out on Wednesday morning explaining the rules for preferred lies.

Last year, Davis suffered a four-stroke penalty after she twice picked up the ball from the rough to start the first round. The rule restricts the use of preferred lies to “areas cut to fairway height or less.” She missed the cut by two strokes last year.

Davis, who couldn’t help but laugh when she saw the cards, talked earlier in the week about how much she has grown since winning the ANWA as a 16-year-old bucket-hat-wearing sensation. Winning at Augusta at such a young age, and then playing in several LPGA majors as a result, forced her to grow up a little faster, she said.

“I think I have seen myself grow,” said the Auburn freshman on Tuesday. “Just especially with the situation last year. I think how I handled it was good, and I think if you put me in that situation a few years ago it would’ve been a little different.

“I think if I was put in that situation now, I would handle it better than I did last year.”

Little did she know that another tough lesson would come so quickly.

This promising teen switched to a mallet putter because of Scottie Scheffler and now is contending at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur

“He changed to a mallet and won two in a row, so I’m like, why not me?”

Seventeen-year-old Eila Galitsky switched to a mallet putter for one reason: Scottie Scheffler. Galistky, who is currently contending at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur after an opening 5-under 67, made the switch less than a week ago.

“He changed to a mallet and won two in a row, so I’m like, why not me?” she explained.

The new mallet putter, she said, has given her a confidence on the greens she hasn’t had before. Combine that with an average carry distance of 265 yards off the tee, and the South Carolina commit is becoming a force to reckon with in the amateur game.

The Thai player won the 2023 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific to earn a spot in last year’s field but said she wasn’t prepared for the weather conditions she found in Georgia and missed the cut. This year, she traveled over early and played in the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley beforehand to acclimate and tied for third.

ANWA: Photos

At last year’s Chevron Championship, Galitsky tied for 28th and earned low amateur honors.

Top-ranked Scheffler debuted the TaylorMade Spider Tour X mallet at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and won by five, leading the field in strokes gained putting. Then he won again at the Players Championship and is the undisputed favorite heading into the Masters.