2 big-time changes are coming to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur

This year marks the fourth iteration of the hugely successful Augusta National Women’s Amateur — an invitational tournament for the world’s top female amateurs that is played on the Saturday before the start of the Masters.

In its short history, the tournament has showcased the incredible depth of talent in the world of women’s amateur golf, with Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi, now household names on the LPGA Tour, memorably going toe-to-toe at the inaugural event in 2019, with Kupcho emerging victorious. Last year, Kupcho won her first major championship, the 2022 Chevron Championship.

In 2020, the ANWA was cancelled because of the pandemic, but 2021 introduced us to Japanese champion Tsubasa Kajitani, while 16-year-old American Anna Davis won the title in 2022. Both players are returning to compete again in 2023.

In all, 70 amateurs have committed to tee it up in Augusta with hopes of lifting the trophy. The first 36 holes of the tournament will be played over two days at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Once 36 holes are complete, the field will be cut to the top 30 players and ties, who will then play the final round at Augusta National on Saturday.

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In case you didn’t catch it, the “and ties” is big news for 2023. In the tournament’s previous iterations, the cut to 30 was painful. Last year, players who were tied for 30th after 36 holes endured a grueling four-for-one playoff to earn the right to compete at Augusta National in the final round. Paula Schulz-Hanssen ultimately claimed the spot after parring No. 18, the fourth playoff hole. This year, there will be no such drama — everyone in the top 30 will go on to compete in the final round.

There’s even a consolation prize for players who fail to make the cut: Every player in the field is eligible for a practice round at Augusta National on the Friday before the final round.

Another new update for 2023? Enhanced viewability!

For the first time, fans will be able to watch coverage of the first and second rounds of the ANWA live on Golf Channel from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET on March 29 and 30. The final round will feature a three-hour live broadcast window on NBC from 12-3 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 1.

Given the excitement that is already building for this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, chances are you won’t want to miss a shot.

And now, you won’t have to.

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As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.

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