Rachel Heck’s first ANWA round is a sign of what’s to come for the Stanford star

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rachel Heck’s phone was blowing up. As the days of her senior year at Stanford dwindled faster than she wanted them to and a return to the elite Augusta National Women’s Amateur field loomed, the emails and the texts kept coming. From the media to NIL sponsors, the senders all had the same inquiry: What’s next?

Heck already knew the answer. She might have deliberated back and forth for a while, but deep down, she always knew. So did her inner circle.

Heck delivered wishy-washy answers to those who pestered. She wasn’t ready to share her decision with the world just yet. That world was full of assumptions. And expectations. Two outside factors that at the ripe age of 22, Heck has bravely managed to shove aside.

To those observing her four years at Stanford from afar, it would be easy to envision a path forward. Heck is one of the best American amateur golfers in the world. A five-time junior All-American. The winner of eight college tournaments. A two-time member of the dominant U.S. Curtis Cup team. She won the NCAA D-I individual championship as a freshman.

How could Heck not turn pro?

Well, Heck ticked off all of those amateur golf accomplishments while participating in the Air Force ROTC program. She’s battled grueling injuries on and off throughout…