Play at Augusta National and be on TV - what could be better?
If it wasn’t enough that some of the world’s top women amateurs were getting the chance to walk the hallowed fairways at Augusta National, now they’ll do it with the gaze of the nation on them as well.
That shot over Rae’s Creek to the par 3 12th might have that little bit more pressure on it after NBC Sports agreed to televise the first Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
There will be three hours of coverage of the final round, which is being played at the famed Georgia course just days before the 2019 Masters Tournament takes place next April.
Only the top 30 players and ties will get the chance to tee it up on the world’s most exclusive course in competition, on April 6, but the whole 72-woman field will play a practice round there the day before.
The first two competition rounds are being played at Champions Retreat in nearby Evans, Georgia.
Fred Ridley, the new chairman of Augusta National, wants the event to provide inspiration to girls and young women.
In less than seven months, golf’s best women amateurs will compete in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur. For the latest information, tickets, qualified players and more, visit https://t.co/xO71vdi2pO.
— Augusta National Women's Amateur (@anwagolf) September 12, 2018
He said: “While we aim to stage a first-class championship, our motivation goes beyond the scores posted between the ropes.
“Shining a brighter light on this important segment of the sport, we expect role models to emerge who will help inspire a new generation of golfers.”
The competitors will qualify in a range of ways, including winning one of big world amateur titles and through the world amateur rankings.
