Can you imagine a country winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the Women’s Amateur, and the US Women’s Amateur all in the same year, and with three different players? Welcome to the monumental challenge facing Spanish golf from this 4th of August until the 10th with the celebration of the US Women’s Amateur.
It’s something that hasn’t happened in history; it’s true that the ANWA has only had six editions, but the victories of Carla Bernat in Augusta and Paula Martín in Scotland position Spain as the only country capable of achieving such a treble. Obviously, it’s not a burden that can be demanded on the shoulders of Carolina López Chacarra and Cayetana Fernández-García Poggio, the only two Spaniards competing in Oregon, but this generation shows us every week that any limit placed on them is determined to be broken.
As if it were the Triple Crown of horse racing, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, Cata and Carol want to give Spanish golf their own unprecedented treble. The venue is majestic: the spectacular Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, on the Oregon coast, an ideal setting for a tournament that breathes history from every corner.
It’s not just any competition. Founded in 1895, the US Women’s Amateur is the third oldest championship of the USGA, and its trophy, the legendary Robert Cox Cup, is the oldest of all those awarded by the American organization. Carved in silver, with thistle inlays and scenes of the St. Andrews course engraved on its base, it represents the essence of amateur golf. Winning it is to write one’s name alongside legends like Glenna Collett Vare, Louise Suggs, or Beth Daniel.
Raising that centennial cup and becoming the first national champion of our country in this tournament is the shared dream of Carolina López-Chacarra and Cayetana Fernández who arrive in Oregon with brilliant trajectories and the conviction that they can fight for everything. The excitement has multiplied following the recent achievement of Josele Ballester, who in 2024 became the first Spaniard to win the US Amateur men’s title. The Armada now wants its female counterpart. Carol faces her final months as an amateur after a last collegiate year with collegiate victories, a top ten in the ANWA, and a debut in the US Open. Cata, on the other hand, seeks to regain the momentum that took her to the podium of the world amateur ranking.
The tournament gathers more than a thousand entries each year and filters the 156 best players through qualifiers. It begins with two rounds of stroke play to decide the 64 who will advance to match play. From there, six direct knockout duels until the champion is crowned. All in one week, all at 18 holes except the final, which is played at 36. There is no room for error.
Over the years, future stars of professional golf have won this event. From Babe Zaharias to Patty Berg, including Morgan Pressel, Danielle Kang, or Lydia Ko. Winning, beyond glory, opens the doors to the US Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open 2026. The other finalist receives an exemption to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open the following year, and the champion also receives an invitation to it. Pure success.
No Spanish player has ever won the US Women’s Amateur. Azahara Muñoz came close in 2008, reaching the final. From this Monday, Carolina and Cayetana take up her mantle. They have the level, experience, and hunger for glory.
The Robert Cox Cup awaits. A centennial trophy, on a legendary course, with the world of golf as a witness. Spain is ready to write another golden page in world golf.
