With the Augusta National Women’s Amateur kicking off this weekend, let’s take a look at some more of the competitors this week:
GIANNA CLEMENTE
The 17-year-old Gianna Clemente is one of the strongest performers in this event. In her two appearances, Clemente has finished top 15 each time, including last year where she was in the final pairing. Clemente was the 2024 AJGA Girls Player of the Year and she has represented the United States at two straight Junior Solheim Cups. Clemente is ranked No. 22 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR).
AMANDA SAMBACH
Amanda Sambach, a senior for Virginia, is making her fifth appearance at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She improved after the first two playings where she missed the cut, finishing T14 both of the last two years. She is ranked No. 23 in the WAGR.
KELLY XU
Kelly Xu, an All-American for Stanford, is making her second appearance in this event, where she missed the cut in 2024. She is one of the Drive, Chip and Putt alums in the field, as she won the 7-9 age division in 2014. Xu is currently ranked No. 24 in the WAGR.
RACHEL HECK
Probably the most high-profile player in the field, the 23-year-old Stanford alum came in third place here in 2021. Heck, an NCAA Individual National Champion and Annika Award winner, decided not to pursue professional golf on the LPGA Tour and instead has pursued the United States Air Force.
CARLA BERNAT ESCUDER
Carla Bernat Escuder is a player for Kansas State and ranked No. 26 in the WAGR. In 2024, she was the only player in the field to break 70 in the second round and finished top 20. She is a two-time second team All American and represented Spain in the Arnold Palmer Cup.
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