The Augusta National Women's Amateur provided an enthralling finish on Saturday, as Lottie Woad carded back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th to pick up the title by just a single stroke.
Beginning the final day, it was Woad who led following rounds of 68 and 71 at Champions Retreat Golf Club, with the Englishwoman looking to secure one of the biggest victories of her amateur career at Augusta National.
Parring her opening hole, the Florida State University sophomore then birdied the second to move further ahead but, with a bogey at the sixth, Woad saw her lead gradually diminishing.
A birdie at the par 4 seventh followed and, going into the back nine, Woad still had a slim lead. However, a number of names were chasing her down with one of those being Bailey Shoemaker. A University of Southern California freshman, Shoemaker had already made birdies at the second, fifth and seventh, with further gains at the 11th, 13th and 16th giving her the outright lead at seven-under.
Getting into the clubhouse, Shoemaker would have a lengthy wait to see if the title was hers. Watching groups come in, including Amateur World No.1 Ingrid Lindblad, you could be forgiven for thinking that Shoemaker was preparing her winner's speech.
Sitting two back following a bogey at the par 5 13th, Woad made a crucial recovery at the 14th, with a birdie at the 15th putting her one back. What followed can only be described as clutch, as a birdie putt on the 17th never left the centre of the hole.
Needing a birdie down the last, Woad found the fairway and, after sticking her approach to around 10-feet from 125-yards, the Englishwoman rolled in the putt for a three-under final round and an eight-under tournament total. Woad joins the likes of Rose Zhang and Jennifer Kupcho in winning the tournament, and she becomes the first European and English player to win the coveted title.
-
The Augusta National Member Who Is (Sort Of) Playing In The Masters This WeekendAugusta member Michael McDermott is playing as a scorer this weekend as an odd-number of players made the cut
-
Are Rangefinders Allowed At The Masters?Rangefinders are becoming increasinly prominent in the professional game, but what about at The Masters?
-
Callaway REVA Rise: New Women's Clubs Unleashed!Callaway has released REVA Rise, the latest evolution of the Reva line of clubs designed specifically for women
-
Carla Bernat Escuder Narrowly Beats Asterisk Talley To Augusta National Women's Amateur TitleCarla Bernat Escuder became the first Spaniard to win the Augusta National Women's Amateur
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur Final Round Tee Times 2025Defending champion Lottie Woad and USA's Kiara Romero will start as co-leaders in the final group of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Saturday
-
Defending Champion Lottie Woad In Prime Position For ANWA Title Defence As Several Big Names Miss The CutHeading into the final round at Augusta National Golf Club, England's Lottie Woad co-leads the field 12 months on from her dramatic comeback victory
-
Augusta National Women’s Amateur Winners: Where Are They Now?The Augusta National Women's Amateur was first played in 2019 and, since then, a number of the tournament's winners have gone on to forge superb careers
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur 2025 Tee Times - Round OneLottie Woad returns to defend her Augusta National Women's Amateur title, with the Amateur World No.1 getting her first round underway alongside Amateur World No.2 Jasmine Koo
-
Rianne Malixi Withdraws From Augusta National Women's Amateur With Back InjuryRianne Malixi had been among the favorites going into the Augusta National Women's Amateur, but the US Women’s Amateur champion has been forced to withdraw due to injury
-
How To Watch Augusta National Women’s Amateur: Live Streams, TV Channels, ScheduleThis year will be the sixth running of the event, with 23 nationalities competing and with the final round played around Augusta National's iconic course.
