LOS ANGELES – Senior Caroline Canales and freshman Francesca Fiorellini have accepted invitations to the prestigious Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA), April 2-5 in Augusta, Ga.
The Augusta National Women's Amateur was announced on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, by Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley during his annual press conference at the Masters Tournament. The event, televised annually on Golf Channel, was established to inspire greater interest and participation in the women's game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for these players to fulfill their dreams.
This marks the sixth edition of the tournament.
Fiorellini, who is making her second straight ANWA appearance, is the top-ranked Italian and 20th overall in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Fiorellini's amateur career is highlighted by major team victories at the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup, Junior Solheim Cup and Patsy Hankins Trophy. In her first four collegiate tournaments in Fall 2024, Fiorellini posted a 73.2 scoring average and one top-20 finish at the Windy City Collegiate Classic (+5, T-13th).
Canales will make her ANWA debut this spring in the middle of her final college season at UCLA. The Calabasas, Calif. native helped UCLA to a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships as a junior with a 72.6 scoring average, which was good for second best on the team that season. Canales is one of the most experienced college golfers in UCLA history with 108 rounds played, including 12 in the postseason (8 stroke play, 4 match play). Canales was honored as a WGCA Honorable Mention All-American in 2023-24 is a two-time WGCA All-American Scholar. She is currently the 63rd-ranked women's amateur on the globe in the WAGR.
Six Bruins will have now competed at the ANWA. The list includes Zoe Antoinette Campos, Alessia Nobilio, Emilie Paltrinieri, Emma Spitz, Canales and Fiorellini.
Format
Beginning the week prior to the 89th Masters Tournament, the international field of 72 women will compete across 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players and ties taking place after 36 holes. The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on Friday, April 4. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 5 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
For the Winner
Provided she remain an amateur, the ANWA Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women's Amateurs, the U.S. Women's Open, the AIG Women's Open, the Chevron Championship, the Evian Championship and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.
The Augusta National Women's Amateur was announced on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, by Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley during his annual press conference at the Masters Tournament. The event, televised annually on Golf Channel, was established to inspire greater interest and participation in the women's game by creating a new, exciting and rewarding pathway for these players to fulfill their dreams.
This marks the sixth edition of the tournament.
Fiorellini, who is making her second straight ANWA appearance, is the top-ranked Italian and 20th overall in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR). Fiorellini's amateur career is highlighted by major team victories at the 2023 Junior Ryder Cup, Junior Solheim Cup and Patsy Hankins Trophy. In her first four collegiate tournaments in Fall 2024, Fiorellini posted a 73.2 scoring average and one top-20 finish at the Windy City Collegiate Classic (+5, T-13th).
Canales will make her ANWA debut this spring in the middle of her final college season at UCLA. The Calabasas, Calif. native helped UCLA to a runner-up finish at the 2024 NCAA Championships as a junior with a 72.6 scoring average, which was good for second best on the team that season. Canales is one of the most experienced college golfers in UCLA history with 108 rounds played, including 12 in the postseason (8 stroke play, 4 match play). Canales was honored as a WGCA Honorable Mention All-American in 2023-24 is a two-time WGCA All-American Scholar. She is currently the 63rd-ranked women's amateur on the globe in the WAGR.
Six Bruins will have now competed at the ANWA. The list includes Zoe Antoinette Campos, Alessia Nobilio, Emilie Paltrinieri, Emma Spitz, Canales and Fiorellini.
Format
Beginning the week prior to the 89th Masters Tournament, the international field of 72 women will compete across 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players and ties taking place after 36 holes. The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on Friday, April 4. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 5 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
For the Winner
Provided she remain an amateur, the ANWA Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women's Amateurs, the U.S. Women's Open, the AIG Women's Open, the Chevron Championship, the Evian Championship and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.