New Masters Chairman Fred Riddley has only been on the job a few weeks and he’s already making a big splash.
As part of its “growing the game” initiative, Ridley and Augusta National announced the creation of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.
The event will feature the top 72 women’s amateurs from around the world.
The first two rounds of the tournament will be held at nearby Champions Retreat Golf Club, with the final round being held at Augusta National on Saturday, April 6, 2019.
“This championship will become an exciting addition to the Masters week, and it furthers our effort to promote the sport and inspire young women to take up the game,” Ridley said.
The champion will receive an exemption into next year’s U.S. Women’s Open and the Women’s British Open, as well as any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur events for a year.
The field will be comprised of all of the winners from the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Ladies’ British Amateur, Women’s Asia-Pacific Amateur, U.S. Girls’ Junior, Girls’ British Open Amateur Championship, Girls Junior PGA Championship. In addition, the top 30 players in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking not already qualified will receive invitations to the event, as well as the top 30 players from the United States. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship Committee will fill the remaining positions.
The event will add to Masters week, finishing up the day before the Drive, Chip and Putt Championship.
