A Viewers Guide For The Augusta National Women's Amateur

To quote the formidable Jim Nantz, "hello friends". (Just the thought of hearing his melodic voice overwhelms me with joy.) The most magical time in golf has finally arrived—Happy ANWA and pre-Masters week, golf fans!

For the last several years, the Augusta National Women's Amateur, along with Drive, Chip, and Putt, has placed junior and amateur golf center stage, before one of the most prestigious events in our sport, and it rules.

These are just teenagers navigating one of the hardest courses in the world, and doing so expertly, while also remaining as poised as ever. Their abilities aside, it's extremely impressive to bare witness to watching the new faces of golf live out their dreams.

Like so many of you, I've fallen in love with the week before the Masters—and if you don't already love it I'm assuming you just haven't tuned in. So let's fix that.

Grab a little pimento cheese charcuterie board, a tangy lemonade, your best fold-up chair and take a seat as we walk you through the need-to-know details about the Augusta National Women's Amateur.

What's the Format?

The 7th annual Augusta National Women's Amateur (or ANWA for short) will begin this Wednesday, April 1. The 54-hole competition will kick off at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia hosting the first two rounds of the championship.

Players will go head-to-head in stroke play format with a cut after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players (and ties) to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club.

The entire field will play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 3.

Play resumes Saturday, where a winner will be crowned. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by sudden-death playoff.

They Really Get to Play Augusta?!

Yes, and some will play it TWICE!

But let's not skim over the incredible venue for the first two rounds—the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club, just 15 minutes down the road from Augusta National Golf Club. Three of the game's greatest Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player each have design credits on the course that presents its own challenges.

Those who don't make the cut after 36 holes will go on to compete at Augusta National on Saturday. But don't worry, each player will have the opportunity to compete in a practice round on Friday, the day before the final round.

So, What Does the Winner Get?

2023 Champion Rose Zhang. Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

The Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2025 Women’s Open, the 2025 Chevron Championship, the 2025 Amundi Evian Championship and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year. But if, and only if she remains an amateur.

And new this year, the ANWA champion will also secure a spot in the LPGA's Portland Classic, one of the oldest and longest standing events on the Tour's schedule.

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

How do You Qualify For ANWA?

The field for the 2026 Championship will consist of the following players based on the following qualifications:

Reigning U.S. Women's Amateur Champion

Reigning Women’s Amateur Champion

Reigning Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Champion

Reigning Girls' Amateur Champion

Reigning U.S. Girls' Junior Champion

Reigning Girls Junior PGA Champion

Reigning NCAA Division I Women’s Individual Champion

Past champions of the Augusta National Women's Amateur within the last five years

The 30 highest ranked players from the United States of America based on the prior year's (2025) final Women's World Amateur Golf Ranking, not otherwise qualified

After qualifications 1-8 above, the 30 highest ranked players not otherwise qualified, as listed on the prior year's (2025) final Women's World Amateur Ranking

Players receiving special invitations from the Augusta National Women's Amateur Committee

Who to Watch at ANWA?

While the entire field deserves your attention, there are a few standouts who aren't just capable of winning but have incredible stories worth digging into. I hope that you don't just become a fan of this event, but of those who will be showcasing their talents for the world to see.

*Here's Skratch's official players to watch list—including a pair of defending champs, top-ranked stars, and a first-timer who is already breaking barriers.

Megha Ganne and Paula Martin Sampedro on the Tournament Practice Area prior to the Augusta National Women's Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club, Monday, March 30, 2026. Photo courtesy of Augusta National.

Click to see the full Augusta National Women’s Amateur field and round one tee times.

How to Tune in

We promise...you aren't going to want to miss the action this week. The competition begins this Wednesday, April 1, with coverage beginning on Golf Channel from 1:30-3:30 p.m. EST.

Both the first and second rounds will be live on Golf Channel during that TV window. Saturday's final round will be shown on NBC Sports from noon to 3 p.m. EST.

And be sure to follow along on the Skratch Instagram.

RELATED: A Beginner Viewer's Guide to Women's Golf in 2026

This page was first published on March 31, 2025. Last updated March 31, 2026.