Asia-Pacific Aces Aiming for Augusta Glory

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Defending champion Tsubasa Kajitani may be conspicuous by her absence, but a powerful Asia-Pacific contingent is eyeing more glory for the region in the third edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA).

Spearheading a 17-strong Asia-Pacific representation are Japan’s Mizuki Hashimoto, winner of last year’s Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP), Korean Hwang You-min and China’s Yin Xiaowen, fourth and eighth respectively in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

The ANWA features an international field of 72 women amateurs competing over 54 holes of stroke play. A cut will take place after 36 holes, advancing the leading 30 players to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club.

The first 36 holes (March 30-31) will be contested over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on April 1. The final round will take place at Augusta National the following day.

Provided she remains an amateur, the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, the 2022 US Women’s Open, the 2022 Women’s British Open, and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.

On the back of her one-stroke triumph at the WAAP in Abu Dhabi at the start of December, there will be much attention on Hashimoto, who will take heart from her last appearance in the United States.

In the first week of 2020, Hashimoto triumphed in the Junior Orange Bowl International Amateur Championship at Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables joining an elite list of winners that includes Major champions Park In-bee, Kim Hyo-joo, Ariya Jutanugarn, Lexi Thompson, Brooke Henderson and Cristie Kerr.

No fewer than 11 of the Asia-Pacific players lining up in Augusta this week are placed in the top-40 and 16 in the top-62 in the WAGR, although China’s Yei Le is the only one among them to have competed in last year’s ANWA, the Stanford standout finishing joint 15th.

Last year, Kajitani became the first international ANWA champion and the first winner from Japan at Augusta National in any tournament with her play-off victory over Wake Forest’s Emilia Migliaccio. The following week, Hideki Matsuyama won the Masters Tournament.

In regard to Kajitani’s absence this week, a statement from the Japan Golf Association (JGA) said: “Tsubasa Kajitani shared with us that she will not compete at the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. It is because she needs to take a break from the game of golf to address her personal health concerns. We, the Japan Golf Association, support her in making the decision that is best for her and her game.

“Tsubasa inspired many with her victory, which was the start of a historic year for Japan at Augusta National Golf Club. We look forward to Japanese competitors building on that success in 2022 and wish the best of luck to all golfers competing this year.

“We would like to thank the members of Augusta National Golf Club and Chairman Fred Ridley for providing this amazing opportunity to female golfers around the globe.”

Asia-Pacific Contingent at 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur

4 – Japan (Mizuki Hashimoto; Hinano Muguruma; Ayaka Tezuka; Rin Yoshida)

3 – China (Ye Lei; Yin Xiaowen; Zeng Liqi); Korea (Bang Shin-sil; Hwang You-min; Lee Jeong-hyun)

2 – Australia (Emily Mahar; Kirsten Rudgely)

1 - Chinese Taipei (Lu Hsin-yu); India (Avani Prashanth); Malaysia (Ashley Lau); Singapore (Shannon Tan); Thailand (Rina Tatematsu)