The prestigious Augusta National Women`s Amateur tournament returns for its sixth year, promising exciting competition at an iconic golf venue. This year`s event features a compelling mix of talent, including past champions, seasoned players, and emerging young stars all vying for victory.
Here are six noteworthy players to keep an eye on as the tournament unfolds, beginning at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, culminating with the final round at Augusta National on Saturday.
Lottie Woad
Lottie Woad`s victory at last year`s ANWA was nothing short of dramatic. 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. While she has secured one tournament win since her ANWA triumph, Woad has consistently performed at a high level, achieving ten top-5 finishes, including an impressive streak of eight consecutive top-3 finishes starting last September at the Folds of Honor Collegiate.
Reflecting on her victory, Woad mentioned the significant confidence boost it provided, especially in her ability to come from behind. She believes this momentum positively influenced her performance throughout the year. While expectations may have shifted slightly, Woad emphasized that her personal aspirations remained high.
As a participant in the LPGA`s LEAP program, Woad earned two points for her ANWA win. Another victory this year would bring her closer to securing her LPGA Tour card, needing a total of 20 points. Woad`s primary focus remains on playing excellent golf and seeing where it leads. She acknowledged her long-held dream of competing on the LPGA Tour and recognized the LEAP program as a potentially beneficial pathway, bypassing the need for Q-School.
Despite the ANWA`s history of not having repeat winners, Woad`s consistent performance and experience position her as a strong favorite to potentially break this trend and become the first back-to-back champion.
Bailey Shoemaker
Bailey Shoemaker was a central figure in last year`s ANWA drama, delivering a remarkable Sunday round of 66. Her score appeared to be playoff-worthy until Woad`s spectacular finish edged her out.
Since then, Shoemaker, currently ranked 45th in the world amateur rankings, has been striving for a tournament win. Her best finish was sixth place at the Leadership and Golf College Invitational last September.
Justin Silverstein, USC`s head coach, remains optimistic about Shoemaker`s potential. He notes that while tournament victories haven`t materialized recently, her ball-striking during practice sessions has been exceptional, and her putting has reached Tour-caliber levels. Statistically, she`s gaining approximately 0.25 strokes per round with her putter this season.
Silverstein expresses confidence that Shoemaker`s overall game is poised to come together soon, suggesting she is on the verge of a breakthrough.
Jasmine Koo
While Shoemaker may be remembered from last year`s event, Jasmine Koo, her USC teammate, is another player to watch closely.
Koo, a freshman, currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the AJGA and No. 2 in the world amateur rankings. Starting with last year`s ANWA, where she finished fourth, Koo has maintained an impressive streak 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 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. Talley has since demonstrated her star potential, winning the Annika Invitational by five strokes in January and securing second-place finishes 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. Adding to her accomplishments, she tied for low amateur honors at last year`s U.S. Women`s Open. Remarkably, 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 a rare achievement, becoming only the second player to win both in the same calendar year. She achieved these wins decisively, defeating Talley 8&7 in match play at the Junior and 3&2 at the Women`s Amateur.
Malixi, an 18-year-old Duke University commit for 2025, has been on a remarkable run after missing the cut in her ANWA debut last year. Since then, the world No. 4 has achieved six top-5 finishes in her last 11 significant events. She aims for a more extended and competitive week at Augusta this year, and her current form suggests she is well-prepared.
Mirabel Ting
Mirabel Ting has secured more tournament wins than any other player since the previous ANWA. Currently ranked No. 3 in the world amateur rankings, her six victories in the past 12 months justify this high ranking. Her performance this season has propelled her to the top of the NCAA Division I rankings, with a lead over second place that is as substantial 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 outstanding record. However, she has won her last two tournaments this year, making a strong case that she is entering Augusta in peak form at just 19 years old and hailing from Malaysia.
