These Early Storylines Could Define The 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur

In just 26 days, the seventh edition of the Augusta National Women's Amateur will be upon us, and another young star in the women's game will shine on one of the biggest and most iconic stages in golf.

For the last several years, Augusta National has been center stage a whole week ahead of the Masters furthering its legacy and allure. But the ANWA has placed such an important light on a demographic in golf that's often over-looked. The women's amateur golf calendar is a healthy one, and more opportunities and points of access are being granted to our young, talented players—which is exactly what the major governing bodies should be doing to advance the game forward.

Asterisk Talley of the United States reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 05, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

I think I can speak for golf fans everywhere and say that this has quickly become one of my favorite weeks every year, and with so many new faces in the mix in the 2026 field, who and what are we really paying attention to?

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A new top-ranked player in Kiara Romero has emerged in the last year, defending champion Carla Bernat Escuder is now competing on the pro circuit, nearly half of the field are first-timers—determining early favorites has never been more interesting. And the history of this event has taught us that we should expect the unexpected.

These are the early storylines we're following with less than a month to go.

Fresh Faces vs. The Seasoned Vets

Me and the Augusta National Women's Amateur player/field landing page have become quite familiar with one another these last couple of weeks. Last month, I was anxiously refreshing every morning to see who the 72nd and final player in the field would be, and this week I've been counting (and counting, and counting...) just how many first-time invitees will tee it up April 1-4.

I have officially landed on the number being almost 50/50, with 37 returners and 35 first-timers—which is insanely impressive to me. We've never had a repeat winner at ANWA, and it feels like we're trending in that direction again. There are two past champions—Tsubasa Kajitani (2021) and Anna Davis (2022) in the field who would look to become the first multiple-time winner of the event.

This year's field features 48 of the top 50 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Where as last year, it was reported that the field was comprised of 49 out of the top 50 players, which was said to be the most top 50 players competing in the same tournament in women’s golf history.

72 Players From 23 Countries, 6 Continents

This is also an insanely diverse and global field, consisting of golfers representing 23 countries and territories as well as all six inhabited continents.

Notably, Emily Odwin senior at SMU is a first-timer in the field, and the first player from Barbados to qualify for ANWA, the U.S. Girls’ Junior, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and the U.S. Women’s Open.

There have been three American champions in Jennifer Kupcho (2019), Anna Davis (2022), and Rose Zhang (2023). The 2021 champion Tsubasa Kajitani hails from Japan. And the last two winners are from Europe: Lottie Woad of England (2024) and last yer's champion Carla Bernat Escuder is from Spain.

Will There Be a New Tournament Record?

Last year, the DNA of Champions Retreat had been impacted by the powerful Hurricane Helene that struck the area in late 2024. One of the courses signature holes lost a towering red oak tree, affectionately referred to as the Broccoli Tree, and it had a real effect on scores.

Stanford's Megha Ganne, who will be making her sixth ANWA appearance, was one of many players happy to see the tree gone because she was able to go low. Ganne set the tournament record for lowest round in Augusta National Women’s Amateur history. She fired an opening round of 63, 9-under par.

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I mean a 63 anywhere is insane, and I don't doubt that someone will come out the gate swinging—after all, records are meant to be broken.

An Entire College Line Up Was Invited

Speaking of Stanford...their entire team was invited back for the second year in a row.

The most dominant team in women's college golf will get to showcase their depth in a major way, and I wouldn't be surprised to see any one of their players in the mix, or better yet, be crowned the champion.

Ganne is an early and strong favorite, along with the No. 1 Kiara Romero, and last year's runner up Asterisk Talley.

New Champion Perks!

Some other big news coming out of this week was the LPGA announcing that this year's ANWA champion will not only receive exemption into some of its majors, but also it's oldest standing event, the Portland Classic later this summer.

Carla Bernat Escuder of Spain is presented with the trophy by Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club Fred Ridley during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

RELATED: The LPGA's Latest Announcement Is a Big Deal for Amateurs

Typically the ANWA champion receives: a trophy, exemptions into the next five ANWA events as well as the Chevron Championship, U.S. Women's Open, Amundi Evian Championship, AIG Women's British Open and any R&A, USGA and PGA of America amateur championship for which she is eligible (stays an amateur) for one year.