Since mid this month, the players who will compete from April 3 to 6 in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA), the prestigious women’s tournament with the 72 best amateurs in the world and which will celebrate its fifth edition, have been gradually receiving their invitations in their postal mail.
The work of the Armada has been bearing fruit for some time and the flourishing quarry occupies privileged positions in the world ranking. The consequence is that Spain will shatter its best records in this renowned event with no less than six representatives in the Georgia event, which is usually held on two courses: the Champions Retreat Golf Club hosts the first two days, the cut will be established with the 30 best, the next day all participants can enjoy the majestic Augusta National, where they will train, and the third round will be on April 6 in the Georgia coliseum and that’s when the three dozen competitors will fight for this title that has gained a lot of relevance in the amateur world.
The final list for the ANWA is not yet confirmed, as there may be resignations or players who decide to turn professional by April, thus, running the shift. The eleven parameters to receive the invitation from the organization are as follows: champion of the US Amateur; champion of the Women’s Amateur; champion of the Asia-Pacific Amateur; champion of the R&A Girls; champion of the US Girls Junior; champion of the Girls Junior PGA; individual champion of the NCAA (Rose Zhang will not compete as she turned professional); previous ANWA champions; the 30 best Americans according to the world amateur golf ranking in the last week of 2023 (not otherwise classified); after this selection, the 30 best international players, not otherwise classified, from the world amateur ranking in the last week of 2023; and players who receive special invitations from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Committee.
With these premises, Spain will have at least six bullets in the chamber for the ANWA, classified for being among the 30 best internationals in the world ranking at the end of the year. Namely: Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio and Julia López (both within the top 5), Rocío Tejedo (in the top 15), Andrea Revuelta (in the top 20), Paula Martín (in the top 30) and Carolina López Chacarra (in the top 40). They have already opened the sealed envelope with the distinguished and august invitation.
It remains to be seen if Carla Bernat, who today ranks 43rd but was a few places further back at the end of the year, will also be in the quota, as the Castellón player who plays for the University of Kansas State, current European runner-up only surpassed by Julia López last summer, is pending any resignation that may cause the shift to run. If she were to enter, there would be seven representatives of the Armada, a success in all lights, as Spain achieved its best mark last year with four players: Cayetana Fernández, Julia López, Carolina López Chacarra and Carla Tejedo. By the way, the Madrid-born Chacarra is a veteran in these matters: of the five editions, the Wake Forest golfer will have played in four.
The winners in the four previous Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournaments have been American Jennifer Kupcho (2019), Japanese Tsubasa Kajitani (2021) and also Americans Anna Davis (2022) and Rose Zhang (2023). Cata Fernández finished in an outstanding fourth position last year, the best result so far for our players.
It is worth remembering that Spain made a double last summer by winning the team victory in both the European Amateur and the continental junior event. The ANWA only reflects the excellent performance of our players.
