EVANS, Ga. – The pursuit of a coveted Saturday tee time at Augusta National got underway Wednesday at the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and the first round at Champions Retreat delivered a leaderboard brimming with talent. A remarkable 31 of the 72 players posted under-par scores on a pristine day for golf, setting the stage for a thrilling second round. Leading the charge are Maria José Marín, the reigning NCAA individual champion, and Soomin Oh, both carding impressive 7-under 65s to share the top spot.
Marín, ranked No. 7 among amateur golfers, navigated the course with remarkable consistency, stringing together seven birdies and 11 pars for a flawless round. Oh matched her effort, finishing with a crucial birdie on the 18th hole to deny Marín the outright lead. The impressive scoring wasn’t limited to the co-leaders; world No. 3 Andrea Revuelta and Asterisk Talley, who finished runner-up at the 2025 ANWA, are close behind at 6-under 66, positioning themselves for a strong push on Thursday.
A Deep and Competitive Field
The 2026 ANWA boasts an exceptionally strong field, with 48 of the top 50 ranked amateur golfers in the world competing for a place at Augusta National. The depth of talent was on full display Wednesday, as the top five players in the world rankings all secured spots within the top 15 on the leaderboard. Kiara Romero, the No. 1 ranked amateur, finished at 2-under 70, while Paula Martin Sampedro (No. 2) and Farah O’Keefe (No. 4) both posted 1-under 71s. Rounding out the top five, Meja Örtengren, ranked No. 5, fired a 5-under 67, placing her firmly in contention.
The low scoring suggests the cut line will remain well below par. The top 30 and ties will advance to play at Augusta National on Saturday, and with so many players already under par, the pressure is on to maintain momentum. Consistency, as proven by last year’s champion, will be key to navigating the challenging conditions and securing a coveted weekend spot.
Challenges and Opportunities on Day Two
While the leaders set the pace, several other players are within striking distance. Meja Örtengren, Amelie Zalsman, and Raegan Denton share sixth place at 5-under 67, while Avery Weed, Arianna Lau, and Lauren Kim are tied for ninth at 4-under 68. The leaderboard is tightly packed, promising a dynamic and competitive second round.
However, not everyone enjoyed a successful start. World No. 6 Megha Ganne, who opened with a remarkable 63 to lead the first round in 2025, struggled to a 77 on Wednesday. She’ll need a significant turnaround on Thursday to climb back into contention. The impressive scoring across the field means that players who faltered in the first round will need to produce exceptional rounds to make the cut.
Leaderboard Snapshot
Here’s a look at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur:
- T1. Maria José Marín, Soomin Oh (-7)
- T3. Vanessa Brovilos, Asterisk Talley, Andrea Revuelta (-6)
- T6. Meja Örtengren, Amelie Zalsman, Raegan Denton (-5)
- T9. Avery Weed, Arianna Lau, Lauren Kim (-4)
- T12. Chloe Kovelesky, Gyubeen Kim, Ava Merrill (-3)
- T15. Kiara Romero and eight others (-2)
- T23. Farah O’Keefe, Paula Martin Sampedro and seven others (-1)
Looking Ahead
Thursday’s second round at Champions Retreat will be crucial as players battle for a place at Augusta National. The pressure will mount as the field attempts to maintain their positions and climb the leaderboard. The ANWA continues to showcase the incredible talent in women’s amateur golf, and the competition promises to be fierce as players strive for a chance to compete on one of the most iconic courses in the world. Updates and full scoring can be found on the official tournament website: https://www.anwagolf.com/
What did you think of the first round action? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow golf enthusiasts!
