Through gritted teeth and after an electrifying finish, American Rose Zhang won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In the tournament’s fourth edition, Zhang completed rounds of 66, 65, and 76 with 207 strokes (-9), just like her compatriot Jenny Bae, whom she beat in two extra holes.
The champion prevailed on the second playoff hole played on the legendary Augusta National course. With her conquest, the world number one completed the Grand Slam of women’s amateur golf. At 19, Zhang showed that she is ready for professional golf.
“Being able to play competitively at Augusta National is certainly different from any other venue that I’ve played in. It’s funny because the last four times that I played here, I remember my scores being nowhere near under par,” said the winner, daughter of Chinese emigrants.
On the first playoff hole (the 18th hole), both players made par. So everything was defined on the second hole (the 10th). Zhang and Bae found the fairway off the tee, but Bae missed her second shot and then her third as she approached under a tree. Bae took two more shots to find the green and cleared the way for Zhang, who hit the pin with her putt and sealed the victory with a par.
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur has been played since 2019. The first two rounds take place at Champions Retreat Golf Club, and the final round at Augusta National. The tournament is held the week before the Masters Tournament. The winner receives invitations to the following US Women’s Open and Women’s British Open and any USGA, R&A, and PGA of America amateur events (as long as she maintains her amateur player status).
This contest aims to generate greater interest and participation in women’s golf, with the primary objective that golfers worldwide can fulfill their dreams.
Starting Monday, the participants of the traditional Masters Tournament will begin to arrive at Augusta National. The first major of 2023 will start on Thursday and run until Sunday.
