The Augusta National Women`s Amateur (ANWA) is back for its sixth year, bringing exciting storylines as past champions, experienced players, and rising young talents compete at one of golf`s most famous courses.
Here are six players to keep an eye on as the tournament starts at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, leading to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday.
Lottie Woad
Lottie Woad`s victory at last year`s ANWA was thrilling. She made birdies on three of her final four holes to win by one stroke over Bailey Shoemaker. This win boosted Woad to become the world`s top-ranked amateur in 2024. Since then, she has had one more win, along with an impressive streak of top-5 finishes (10) and eight consecutive top-3 finishes, starting with the Folds of Honor Collegiate in September.
“Winning the ANWA gave me a lot of confidence, especially coming from behind. It showed me I`m never out of contention,” Woad said before the tournament. “It carried me through the rest of the year and raised expectations, but I already had high expectations.”
As part of the LPGA`s LEAP program, which allows amateurs to earn LPGA status through achievements, Woad gained two points from last year`s ANWA win. Another win would get her closer to the 20 points needed for an LPGA Tour card.
“I`m focused on playing good golf and seeing where it takes me,” Woad stated. “Playing on the LPGA has always been my dream, so getting there without Q-School would be amazing.”
Although no one has won the event twice yet, Woad`s consistency and experience make her a strong favorite to be the first back-to-back champion.
Bailey Shoemaker
Shoemaker almost had a memorable ANWA win last year, shooting a 66 on Sunday. It looked like it might force a playoff until Woad`s incredible finish.
Shoemaker hasn`t dominated the golf scene since then, currently ranked 45th in the world amateur rankings and without a win. Her best finish was sixth at the Leadership and Golf College Invitational last September.
However, USC head coach Justin Silverstein isn`t worried. He mentioned that Shoemaker`s ball-striking in practice has been exceptionally good, and her putting is at a Tour level. This season, she`s gaining about 0.25 strokes per round with her putter.
“Based on all of this,” Silverstein said, “I expect everything to come together for her soon.”
Jasmine Koo
While Shoemaker is well-remembered from last year, Jasmine Koo, her USC teammate, is another player to watch closely.
Koo, a freshman, is currently ranked No. 1 in the AJGA rankings and No. 2 in the world amateur rankings. Since last year`s ANWA, where she finished fourth, Koo has had a remarkable run. In 17 events, she won four, finished in the top-5 in seven, and her lowest finish was 17th at the U.S. Women`s Amateur. Notably, she made the cut at last year`s LPGA Chevron Championship, finishing 13th at a professional event.
Asterisk Talley
Talley was a surprise performer at last year`s ANWA, tying for eighth place at just 15 years old. She has since shown her potential, winning the Annika Invitational by five strokes in January and finishing second in both the U.S. Girls` Junior and U.S. Women`s Amateur, while also winning the U.S. Women`s Amateur Four-Ball. Ranked No. 14 worldwide, Talley has achieved nine top-10 finishes in the past year and shared low amateur honors at last year`s U.S. Women`s Open. She is only 16 years old.
Rianne Malixi
Rianne Malixi from the Philippines is the only player who outperformed Talley at both the U.S. Girls` Junior and U.S. Women`s Amateur last year. Winning both events in the same year is rare, and she did it 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 starting in 2025. Her recent success comes after missing the cut in her first ANWA appearance last year. Now ranked No. 4 globally, she has had six top-5 finishes in her last 11 events and aims for a stronger performance in Augusta this year. Her game seems ready.
Mirabel Ting
Mirabel Ting has won more events than anyone else since last year`s ANWA. Ranked No. 3 amateur in the world, the Florida State player has won six times in the last year. Her performance this season has made her the top-ranked player in NCAA Division I, with a lead over second place as large as second place`s lead over 42nd.
A 65th place finish at the NCAA championships is her only weak result. However, Ting won her last two events this year, and arguably, no one is entering Augusta in better form than the 19-year-old from Malaysia.