The Masters Tournament announced today the establishment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.
The 54-hole, stroke play tournament will feature a 72-player field, comprised of winners of six recognized amateur championships along with the players appearing in Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
A women’s amateur championship at Augusta National means more girls will take up the game. More young women will stay amateur longer and earn their college degrees. A victory at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur comes with a five-year exemption. Massive on so many levels.
— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) April 4, 2018
In 2019, the first two rounds will be contested at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. After a cut to the low 30 scores, the final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6, when an amateur champion will be crowned for the first time ever at the home of the Masters.
“Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts left behind a legacy of always trying to contribute meaningfully to the game of golf,” said Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley, a former U.S. Amateur winner.
“The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship embodies that principle, and we believe this event will have a significant and lasting impact on the future of the women’s game.
“Our hope and expectation is that this event will further energize those who already love the sport and inspire others through the dream of competing at Augusta National.”
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship will now lead into the next day’s Drive, Chip and Putt, followed by the Masters Tournament on Monday.
FORMAT
An international field of 72 women amateurs will compete over 54-holes of stroke play. A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by sudden-death playoff.
SCHEDULE
The first 36 holes will be contested over two days at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Following the 36-hole cut, the final competitive round will take place at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, April 6.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Invites granted to the winners of the six (6) following events: U.S. Women’s Amateur, Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship, Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, U.S. Girls’ Junior, Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship, Girls Junior PGA Championship.
- Future champions of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship will receive five year exemption.
- The top 30 players from the United States of America will be invited who are not otherwise qualified, based on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
- The next 30 highest ranked players not otherwise qualified will receive invitations, as listed on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking.
- Remaining positions filled by invitation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship Committee.
WINNER
Provided she remain an amateur, the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion will be exempt for:
- Next five Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championships
- 2019 U.S. Women’s Open
- 2019 Women’s British Open
- Any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.
Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest goings-on in the world of golf by following the SwingxSwing Clubhouse on social media. We share stories, stats and breaking news on Twitter, keep the fun going off the course on Instagram and share any and all golf-related topics on Facebook.
Never be the odd golfer out when your friends are talking about the latest or funniest happenings in golf. Sign up for the SxS newsletter today!
