Augusta National Women’s Amateur Preview

Believe it or not, this will be the 5^th edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.  Since the announcement of its creation in April of 2018, the tournament has produced exciting results with some of the best amateurs in the world taking the title, culminating in the No.1 ranked amateur Rose Zhang’s victory last year.

The event was created, according to the Club, “to inspire greater interest and participation in the women’s game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for these players to fulfill their dreams”.

As you’ll hear my guest, Beth Ann Nichols from GOLFWEEK explain, in just five years, and four tournaments, 2020’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is arguably the most important event on the women’s amateur schedule.  As Beth Ann says, it is at least as far as the participants are concerned.

If you’re unfamiliar with the format, 72 of the best woman amateurs in the world compete over 54 holes of stroke play.  The first two rounds are held at the Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, GA., just outside of Augusta.  After 36 holes, the top 30 players and ties will advance to the final round.

Before that final round takes place, all 72 players will then play an official practice round at Augusta National Golf Club, before those finalists hit the course on Saturday for the final round.

The winner of the event, provided she remains an amateur receives an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, the 2024 US Women’s Open, the 2024 Women’s Open, the 2024 Chevron Championship and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.

The tournament is covered on television with the first two rounds on Golf Channel and the final round on NBC from noon until 3pm.

Here is the conversation I had with Beth Ann Nichols previewing this year's Augusta National Women's Amateur.

If you would like to read more about Golf Week in Augusta, click here.