An Early Look at ANWA Contenders

Last week, the USGA hosted 12 of the best amateur golfers in the women's game for a practice session at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, the host site for this year's Curtis Cup that will be contested June 12-14.

The biennial match between the top female amateurs from United States versus Great Britain and Ireland is one of the most coveted team competitions at the amateur level. The format mirrors the spirit of the Ryder Cup: three days of foursomes, four-ball, and singles matches, with 20 total points at stake.

Named after sisters Harriot and Margaret Curtis, the match was established to build and foster friendly international competition. The two sisters had unique journeys as educators and philanthropists traveling the world during the 20th century. But they were also champion golfers, having won the U.S. Women’s Amateur four times between them.

For many amateurs, the Curtis Cup is a career pinnacle, serving as a real stepping stone to success. Many LPGA stars have competed on the team including JoAnne Carner aka Big Mama, Paula Creamer, Juli Inkster, Michelle Wie West, Beth Daniel, Jessica Korda, Stacy Lewis, Nancy Lopez and Lexi Thompson.

It's a great honor to be selected to this squad, and those who were selected for the practice session, gives us an early look as to who may be contenders at another prestigious event in women's amateur golf—the Augusta National Women's Amateur, ANWA for short.

Leading the way for the practice sessions was top-ranked player Kiara Romero of the University of Oregon. The 19-year-old played in the final pairing at last year's ANWA alongside the 2025 champion Carla Bernat Escuder, and though her final round of a 2-over par 74 dropped her out of contention, Romero showed grit.

Kiara Romero; image credits to USGA/Don Liebig.

With 2024 ANWA champion Lottie Woad and her FSU teammate Mirabel Ting turning pro, the door to the top-ranked spot and Romero is taking full advantage.

Romero is the reigning winner of the McCormack Medal, awarded by the R&A to the best amateur female golfer. Her sophomore season at Oregon included winning the Big Ten Championship, finishing T-7 in the NCAA individual championships while leading Oregon to a spot in the team semifinals. She also became the program's first two-time first-team All-American.

But there's more star power that joined Romero at Bel-Air CC.

The 2022 ANWA champion and my favorite lefty golfer Anna Davis was also invited to the session, along with Asterisk Talley, and USC's Jasmine Koo. All three are bright stars in American golfer and ones to watch.

This year's Augusta National Women's Amateur will be held April 1 - 4. The full 72-player field has yet to be confirmed, but we can expect to see these familiar faces/names in Georgia.