72 women set to make history on eve of Augusta National Women's Amateur
EVANS, Ga. — Jennifer Kupcho, the No. 1 amateur in the world, hadn't really thought about what it will mean to be the first player to strike a shot at the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur until she was asked about it.
There are historical moments around every corner this week. Saturday's final round at Augusta National will be bursting at the seams with them.
"It's crazy that they're actually letting us play the course," marveled Kupcho.
On Monday, players gathered for a Players Welcome Reception at SRP Park, a baseball stadium in North Augusta, S.C. (yes, you read that correctly), home of the Augusta GreenJackets, the San Francisco Giants' Triple A affiliate. The players hit 70-yard shots down onto the field where caddies shagged the balls. There were fireworks and Tiffany bracelets to mark the occasion.
Amanda Linner of Sweden practices her swing during the Player Welcome Reception for the Augusta National Women's Amateur, Monday, April 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy: Augusta National)
"We've all dreamed of being able to play Augusta National," said Stanford's Andrea Lee, who wrapped up a school-record eighth college title on Sunday. "But as women, we didn't think we'd be able to have the opportunity to do so."
She called the opportunity "monumental."
Before they get to Augusta National
But before Augusta, there's Champions Retreat, a 27-hole facility with nines designed by Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer.
Rain pushed back Tuesday's low-key practice round at Champions Retreat, where players pulled out long irons and hybirds a bit more than expected.
The signage, food (including prices), merchandise and pairings sheet look the same as what you'd find at the Masters. The logo is different, of course, and the scoreboards are electronic, but there are enough similarities here to make it feel like we're in a neighboring zip code.
Arizona State's Olivia Mehaffey of Northern Ireland plays a shot from a bunker during a practice round for the Augusta National Women's Amateur, Monday, April 1, 2019. (Photo courtesy: Augusta National)
On Tuesday night, most of these women will take their first trip down Magnolia Lane for the Chairman's Dinner.
It's about to get real.
Of the 72 players, only the top 30 will get to compete in the final round on Saturday. There will be a playoff, if necessary, on Thursday after 36 holes at Champions Retreat to decide the cut. It will be live-streamed on Golf Channel as well as ANWA's official website.
Friday's forecast calls for morning rain, but the afternoon should be clear. All 72 players get the chance to tee it up on Friday for a closed practice round. There will be no fans, no media. Each player gets to designate a guest (in addition to her caddie) that can join them in what's sure to be a special walk.
A really special day for everyone
And while it's odd to have a day off in the middle of a tournament, Lee has found a way to make it a positive.
"Friday is just going to be a really special day for everyone, no matter, you know, who you are," said Lee. "All 72 players are going to have the time of their lives, and it's going to be really fun, and I think for those who are in contention after the first two days, can kind of see it as a reset day in a way. But also, just to be able to really enjoy themselves on the golf course, as well, in preparation for Saturday."
Alabama's Jiwon Jeon met up with eight-time PGA Tour winner Jerry Pate in the days leading up to Augusta National. Pate's tip: "If it's a downhill putt, don't try to make it. Just try to stop it."
On Monday, Kupcho was awarded the new Hale Irwin Medal by the Colorado Golf Association. She took the opportunity to glean a few Augusta National tips from Hale Irwin, a three-time major winner who, like Kupcho, won an NCAA title.
A yardage book and bag tage are seen during registration prior to the start of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, Monday, April 1, 2019.
Unlike most players in the field, Kupcho has previous experience at Augusta National. She might use an Augusta National caddie on Saturday (maybe even the same looper she used sophomore year). And she might not.
"I guess it kind of just depends on how it goes with my dad I guess," she said, laughing. "I guess that sounds really bad, but just for Augusta, it's a different kind of game and I think if you have that local knowledge, it's going to be very helpful compared to my dad, who obviously does not have local knowledge."
Fourteen-year-old Alexa Pano, the youngest player in the field and Golfweek's top-ranked junior, got her first taste of Augusta National as a winner of the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. She has yet to walk the golf course though.
Truth be told, Pano hasn't watched too much coverage of the Masters in her short life. But she's as aware as anyone of what this could mean for women's golf.
"Unreal," said Pano. "I can't believe that the tournament starts tomorrow and in just two days, I'll be playing at Augusta National and hopefully in three, competing there, which it just sounds so unreal. If you told me this at 7 years old, I probably wouldn't have believed you."
No one would have.