The prestigious Augusta National Women`s Amateur tournament is back for its sixth year, promising exciting competition at a legendary golf venue. This year`s event features a compelling mix of talented golfers: the defending champion, seasoned participants, and rising young stars, all vying for victory.
Here are six players who are expected to make a significant impact as the tournament begins at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, culminating in the final round at the iconic Augusta National on Saturday.
Lottie Woad
Lottie Woad`s victory at last year`s ANWA was nothing short of spectacular. She clinched the title with birdies on three of her final four holes, narrowly defeating Bailey Shoemaker. This win propelled Woad to the top of the world amateur rankings in 2024. Since her ANWA triumph, she has maintained remarkable consistency, securing numerous top-5 finishes (10) and an impressive streak of eight consecutive top-3 finishes, starting from the Folds of Honor Collegiate last September.
Reflecting on her victory, Woad mentioned in a pre-tournament press conference that it significantly boosted her confidence, especially coming from behind. She felt it instilled in her the belief that she is never out of contention. This momentum carried her through the year, although expectations slightly shifted, her own high standards remained unchanged.
Woad is also participating in the LPGA`s LEAP program, which offers amateur players a path to LPGA status through achievements in various events. Her ANWA win earned her two LEAP points, and another victory here would bring her closer to the 20 points needed for an LPGA Tour card.
Woad stated her primary focus is on playing excellent golf and seeing where it leads her. Playing on the LPGA Tour has always been her dream, and the LEAP program presents a potentially less arduous route than Q-School.
Despite the tournament`s history of no repeat winners, Woad`s consistent performance and experience make her a strong favorite to break that trend and become the first to win back-to-back ANWA titles.
Bailey Shoemaker
Bailey Shoemaker came incredibly close to winning last year`s ANWA in dramatic fashion. Her Sunday round of 66 seemed sufficient for a playoff, but Woad`s outstanding finish ultimately secured her the victory.
Since then, Shoemaker has remained a notable player, currently ranked 45th in the world amateur rankings, although she is still seeking an event win. Her best finish was sixth place at the Leadership and Golf College Invitational last September.
However, USC head coach Justin Silverstein remains optimistic. He noted that while tournament victories haven`t materialized recently, Shoemaker`s ball-striking during practice sessions has been exceptionally strong, and her putting is at a Tour-level. She is currently gaining approximately 0.25 strokes per round with her putter this season.
Silverstein believes that based on these factors, Shoemaker is poised for a breakthrough soon.
Jasmine Koo
While Shoemaker might be fresh in many viewers` minds from last year, Jasmine Koo, her USC teammate, is another player to watch closely.
Koo, a freshman, currently holds the No. 1 position in the AJGA rankings and No. 2 in the world amateur rankings. Starting with last year`s ANWA, where she finished fourth, Koo has enjoyed a remarkable run of results. In 17 significant appearances, she has won four events, achieved top-5 finishes in seven, and her lowest finish was 17th at the U.S. Women`s Amateur. Notably, she was also one of only two amateurs to make the cut at last year`s LPGA Chevron Championship, finishing 13th in this professional event.
Asterisk Talley
Asterisk Talley emerged as a surprise contender at last year`s ANWA, finishing tied for eighth at just 15 years old. Since then, Talley has consistently demonstrated star potential. She won the Annika Invitational in January by five strokes and secured second place at both the U.S. Girls` Junior and U.S. Women`s Amateur, while also winning the U.S. Women`s Amateur Four-Ball. Currently ranked No. 14 in the world amateur rankings, Talley has achieved nine top-10 finishes in the past year. Another impressive accomplishment was tying for low amateur honors at last year`s U.S. Women`s Open. And she is still only 16 years old!
Rianne Malixi
Rianne Malixi, representing the Philippines, is the only player who outperformed Talley at both the U.S. Girls` Junior and U.S. Women`s Amateur last year. Her victories in both events marked only the second instance of a player winning both in the same year. She achieved these wins decisively, defeating Talley 8&7 in match play at the Junior and 3&2 at the Women`s Amateur.
The 18-year-old is committed to Duke University and will begin her studies in Durham in 2025. Her impressive streak follows a missed cut at her first ANWA appearance last year. Since then, the world No. 4 has achieved six top-5 finishes in her last 11 significant events and aims for a more extended and successful week at Augusta this year. Her current form suggests she is well-prepared.
Mirabel Ting
Mirabel Ting stands out as the player with the most victories since the last ANWA. Her No. 3 world amateur ranking is well-deserved: she has won six times in the past 12 months. Her performance this season has propelled her to the top of the NCAA Division I rankings, holding a lead over second place that is as significant as the gap between second place and 42nd place.
A 65th place finish at the NCAA championships is the only blemish on Ting`s otherwise stellar record. However, she has won her last two events this year, making a strong case that no player enters Augusta in better form than this 19-year-old from Malaysia.
Marcus Blakely