Carla Bernat has become the first Spanish woman in history to win in Augusta this Saturday. With her victory in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, she joins an exclusive club alongside Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal, Sergio García, and Jon Rahm. Quite something. She has earned herself a permanent place in the history of Spanish golf.
Moreover, more immediately, the brave golfer from Castellón manages to qualify for all the majors except the KPMG PGA Championship. Here is everything she achieves:
1. An Exclusive Augusta National Trophy
The winner has the privilege of raising the impressive Augusta National Women’s Amateur trophy, created in collaboration with Tiffany & Co. This trophy, made of spun sterling silver, features the ANWA logo and the iconic Augusta National flag on the front, with the flowers that name each hole surrounding the exterior. The design, which includes a 24-carat yellow gold vermeil interior and a magnolia wood base from the Augusta grounds, is a work of art that took more than 100 hours of hand engraving. Although the original remains on display in Augusta, the champion receives a scaled replica with her name and year of victory.
2. Five Years of Invitations to Augusta
Victory in the ANWA secures a return ticket to the tournament for five consecutive editions, as long as the winner remains an amateur. Anna Davis, for example, won at 16 in 2022 and is already in her fourth participation this year. This benefit is very valuable for maintaining experience on one of the most iconic courses in world golf.
3. Entry to Four LPGA Majors
Becoming the ANWA champion puts you on the global golf radar and grants invitations to four LPGA Majors: the Chevron Championship, the US Women’s Open, the AIG Women’s Open, and the Evian Championship, as long as you remain an amateur. Lottie Woad, winner in 2023, demonstrated the value of these exemptions by finishing 23rd in the Chevron Championship and top 10 in the AIG Women’s Open, taking the Smyth Salver in 2024.
4. Access to Major Amateur Tournaments
The champion is guaranteed participation in the world’s most prestigious amateur events, such as the US Women’s Amateur Championship and the Women’s Amateur Championship, as well as any Amateur Championship of the PGA of America, as long as she maintains her amateur status. This allows her to compete with the best in her category and continue growing as a player.
5. A Boost in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR)
Winning the ANWA awards almost 25 points in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), the highest possible in an amateur event. This boost can catapult the champion to the top of the ranking, as happened to Lottie Woad, who reached number 1 after her victory. It is a tangible recognition of her talent and a springboard towards professionalism.
6. Points in the LPGA LEAP Pathway
The new LPGA LEAP system offers elite amateurs the opportunity to earn a tour card by accumulating 20 points. A victory in the ANWA provides two points, the same as a top-25 in a Major or a top-10 in an LPGA event. This benefit brings the champion closer to a professional career without the need to go through qualifying school.
Winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur is not just a trophy in the cabinet; it is a passport to a career full of possibilities, from competing on the biggest stages in golf to establishing oneself as a rising star. For amateur golfers, this title is the beginning of something extraordinary.
