Carla Bernat Escuder takes title at Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Victory feels great for Carla Bernat Escuder, the new champion of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
She finished 12-under with 68, unseating last year’s champion Lottie Woad from England, who came in third.
How does it feel to be the first Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion from Spain?
“It feels amazing. I feel over the moon. Right now I don’t think my brain has processed that I won,” said Escuder, who plays for Kansas State.
One of the key points was on the 10th hole when she missed the green far to the right but then made par. Did that give her a confidence boost for the rest of the round?
“I knew the tournament was going to start on No. 10 because I’ve watched all the Masters,” she said. “As soon as I hit that second shot, I was like, ‘Oh, I need to get it together and just get this par,’ and I dig in, and I think that was the key.”
Her caddie was Rinko Mitsunaga, also part of the Kansas State golf family and one of the assistant coaches. They seemed to have a lot of positive conversations throughout the day.
“She’s my assistant coach. She’s super positive. She’s like one of my best friends, too,” she said.
“She’s all I needed today and this week. She made everything feel like I wasn’t here,” she said. “It was, like, easier, if that makes sense. I really appreciate her, and I’m so grateful she caddied for me for three rounds.

Andrea Revuelta says she was thrilled to see another Spaniard, Carla Bernat Escuder, take the title.
I think that’s so good for European people to really, you know, see that and be like, oh, my God, this is the U.S. and the pinnacle of golf is in the U.S., but I feel like in Europe we have so many talented young girls that can achieve a lot of things.
She was impressed with how Escuder played.
“I mean, she played incredible. Didn’t miss one shot. She also played with so much – didn’t play defensive. She played aggressive,” she said.
“So I’m so happy for her. She played great, and she’s a great player.”

Megha Ganne, who was at the top after the first round, assessed her play in Saturday’s final round this way:
“Today was a lot of fun. It went by super quick. I thought I played great golf, just couldn’t buy a putt to go in the hole. But put myself in all the spots I needed to be. I made the turn in a good position and I just needed putts to fall and they didn’t. But really proud of my golf game and the direction it’s headed.”
Looking ahead: “We have our postseason, so our conference, regionals, nationals. A lot of things to look forward to.”

Asterisk Talley has an uncanny knack for the second nine holes at Augusta National Golf Club.
“I just think it fits my eye a little better than the front,” she said after finishing at No. 2. “It’s a little easier to hit my driver on that nine. I think it’s just more fun coming down the home stretch. You’ve got Amen Corner and everything and you just have just amazement going through your eyes when you’re walking through the back nine, and I think I was having a lot of fun no matter what, and I wasn’t really thinking about the leader board or anything. I was just trying to shoot my score and having a lot of fun.”
That’s not to say she doesn’t keep her eye on the leader board.
“I’m always watching it, always looking, but I didn’t really care that much going through the back nine or going through every hole,” she said. “Just trying to make the best shot I can and think one shot at a time.”
Finishing at No. 2 ranks up there with her best experiences.
“It’s the best,” she said. “It’s always going to be the best. I think I’m going to carry this with me throughout the whole year and throughout my whole career. I’m just going to wear that on my sleeve and just take it with me.”
What does it tell her about her place in amateur golf?
“I think it tells me that I can play against anybody, and I don’t have to be scared of any course or anybody in the field. Just knowing that this is one of the most crazy courses and it’s so hilly and hard to play, but knowing that I played well here against the best people in the world is something that I’m going to take with me.”
Looking ahead: “I want to go to college. I think it’s going to be a great experience for me. I think it would give me a chance to have a team all the time. I love team play, and I love that environment, and I think it’s going to give me a great experience.”

Unseated champion Lottie Woad of England can’t help but be a little disappointed at not retaining her title.
“I’m pretty frustrated. Played decent tee to green, just didn’t hole really any putts, and that’s what it came down to in the end,” she said after finishing third.
What does she think you’ll learn from the experience?
“I think you learn every time you’re in contention. It’s just putting yourself in those positions really. You can’t win every time,” she said. “I can be pretty happy with how I played this week. Like the goal coming into it was just to be in contention. So got that, and yeah, it was a pretty good defense in the end.”

Spain’s Carla Bernat Escuder has been unstoppable today at Augusta National, and now she has a new title: champion.
She finished 12-under with 68 after gaining momentum throughout the afternoon and she rolled right over the competition as the final hole got close.
She follows in a great tradition of Spaniards who have done well at Augusta National, and as she was finished, she was met by her countryman, two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal.
She unseats England’s Lottie Woad.
Kiara Romero finished at 74, tied with Meghan Ganne, the leader of the first round.

Final results included:

Carla Bernat Escuder: -12, 68
Asterisk Talley: -11, 68
Lottie Woad: -9, 72
Catherin a Park: -8, 67
Eila Galitsky: -8, 66
Andrea Revuelta: -8, 72

2:15 p.m.: Louise Rydqvist’s ‘backpack of memories is stacked from here’

For Louise Rydqvist, this has been a week for the memory books.
“It’s so many memories. My backpack of memories is stacked from here. It’s a week that I’ll remember for the rest of my life, both times I’ve been here. Unfortunately it’s going to be my last as I’m turning pro this summer. Going to bring this experience with me forever,” she said.
Is there a particular shot or hole that stands out to youher?
“Teeing off the first hole, my legs were like noodles. I could barely walk down the first valley, so that’s definitely one of them,” she said. “And obviously hole 12 is such a signature hole and been a lot of memories from there in the past in the Masters that I watched for many years. I would say those two are on the top of my list.”

2:05 p.m.: Anna Davis says she had a ‘pretty ho-hum day’

Anytime you shoot under par at Augusta National, it’s a good day. But 2022 champion Anna Davis says it was “ho-hum” for her.
“I think I hit just a lot of greens today, gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities, didn’t make a lot of them,” she said. But yeah, it was just a consistent round, pretty ho-hum day. But yeah, it was an easy 2-under, which is nice.”
Headed into the NCAA post-season: “Game feels good. So excited for post-season. War Eagle.”

1:57 p.m.: Eila Galitsky is just happy to have been here

Eila Galitsky knew 6-under was possible for her, but she’s still disappointed.
“With how I was hitting the ball today, I’m going to be honest, I should have been way lower than 6-under,” she said. “I missed so many easy putts out there. I hit such great shots today. I don’t even know what to say. I think I was just so in the zone today. It felt awesome out there.”
She’d say she’s “more disappointed than proud right now,” but she still thinks she played some impressive golf.
“It’s awesome. I’m so happy the team got to watch, got to come and support,” she said. “Honestly, I think that’s what made me feel so comfortable out here is just having their support, and playing Augusta National is great, but when you play 6-under par, I think it’s a bit better.”
Looking ahead: “I’m just going to go back, work on the parts that I was missing, which is basically my putting, and I’m very excited for post-season for college. I think we have a great team this year, and I’m really hoping we do something special.”

1:21 p.m.: Carla Bernat Escuder keeps climbing

1:19 p.m.: Sights and scenes at Augusta National Golf Club

Here are some of the latest images from today’s final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship:

1:04 p.m.: How Carolina Lopez finished the final round

12:48: Shopping is still popular with patrons

From hats to bags to clothing, mugs and more, the patron shop is as popular as ever at Augusta National Golf Club.
Patrons can be seen carrying around bags and bags of merchandise that can only be purchased on the famed property of Augusta National.
The shop line isn’t as bad as you might expect.
This year, employees are standing at certain points along the line to tell people how much time they have left to wait.
One employee told us that if the line gets too long, they’ll shut it down so people can enjoy the golf and come back later.

12:44 p.m.: Taking in the sights at Augusta National

12:39 p.m.: How Eila Galinsky finished out the final round

12:23 p.m.: Gorgeous, otherworldly and delicious – patrons drink it all in

What do patrons today think of the experience? We’ve spoken to a few, and here’s what they said:
“This is otherworldly for sure.”
“This is paradise. People who have never been here can’t imagine … TV doesn’t do it justice. … I’m gonna drink a beer and get me a pimento cheese sandwich.”
“It’s a great day, it’s very beautiful out here and we’re just excited to be here. … This place is gorgeous. … Very happy and very fortunate to be able to get out here and check these grounds out.”
“It’s really pretty, a lot of pretty flowers and green grass.”
“Yeah, you always have to get the pimento cheese sandwich. It’s great.”

12:21 p.m.: Megha Ganne shines in final round

12:14 p.m.: Carla Bernat Escuder moves to the top

12:12 p.m.: Live coverage has begun

12:03 p.m.: Defending champion faces ‘bigger expectations’

Going into the final round, England’s Lottie Woad, , a junior at Florida State and the No. 1 player in the women’s amateur ranking, shared the lead with Kiara Romero.
After Friday’s practice round, she reflected on her game plan and mindset.
“I’m feeling pretty good. I think just I’ve got a game plan for this course that I know I can play and works well. So I think I’m just going to feel comfortable with that and look to maybe get off to a good start, maybe put some pressure on,” she said.
The pressure is on the defending champion. And winning again is important to her.
“It would mean a lot. This week’s definitely different to last year, coming in with bigger expectations and stuff like that. I’d be very proud of how I dealt with that if I could manage to win it,” she said.

11:41 a.m.: A big moment for Asterisk Talley

A hole out eagle on No. 1 at the Augusta National Golf Club! ⛳️

Asterisk Talley becomes the first player to eagle a par-4 in the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. pic.twitter.com/Aa7R31BJQr

— Augusta National Women’s Amateur (@anwagolf) April 5, 2025

11:11 a.m.: Despite Helene, Augusta National is as beautiful as ever

The course at Augusta National Golf Club is as nice as we’ve ever seen it.
The azaleas are popping, and patrons are enjoying the scenery along with some good golf.
It’s hardly noticeable that Augusta went through Hurricane Helene just six months ago.
The trees may be a little thinner in some areas, especially around 6, 16 and 12. But it’s nothing like some areas of Augusta that bore the brunt of the storm.

Defending champion Lottie Woad of England spoke Friday about what’s different this year.

“Definitely firmer greens, and there’s quite a few trees. Like you can see the miss and just it looks a bit thinned out, which on some holes is a bit more inviting,” she said.

11:01 a.m: In the swing with the players

10:57 a.m: On course with Eila Galitsky

10:32 a.m: The weather forecast for today at Augusta National

Near-record high temperatures are expected to continue today and Sunday. Today will be dry with partly cloudy skies.
See the full News 12 First Alert forecast

9:53 a.m.: How to watch on TV

The final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship will be televised on NBC starting at noon. That’s Channel 26 here in Augusta.

9:46 a.m.: Key things to know today

9:40 a.m.: Here are the hole locations for the final round

9:13 a.m.: Winning ‘ would definitely mean everything’ to Romero

After yesterday’s practice round at Augusta National Golf Club, Kiara Romero – who shares the lead with Lottie Woad – reflected on what winning would mean to her.
“It would definitely mean everything to me, for sure,” she said. “To win at this course and all the history behind it, it would be really cool to see all the hard work pay off. It’s a big thing to accomplish, and I know there’s a lot of us at the top of the leader board. So I’m not really worried about that. I’m just kind of going out there to play my game and have fun out there.”
She’ll want to stay focused today.
“I think the biggest thing is just to focus on playing my game and not worrying about what anyone else is doing out there,” she said. “I won’t be staring down the leader board on every hole and stuff. I’ll just kind of focus on where I want to put my next shot.”
But she feels she’s ready.
“I’ve built a lot of confidence being in contention my last few tournaments,” she said. “I feel like I kind of know how to handle it being on the top over there and not worrying about trying to force a win or anything, just going out there and trying to enjoy it and have fun and play my best game.”
She’s been inspired by many golfers through the years.
“I think the biggest thing that I always remembered watching it growing up and I was kind of inspired by it was just seeing the players that I would always play with, like my friends out there going out and winning tournaments and getting all the TV time and the big crowds out there,” she said. “So it’s definitely really good energy out here for sure.”

8:52 a.m.: A look at the leaders

Going into the final round, Lottie Woad of England (left) and Oregon sophomore Kiara Romero (right) share the lead.
Woad, a junior at Florida State and the No. 1 player in the women’s amateur ranking, is the defending champion.
She takes with her plenty of experience, not only from having competed at the home of the Masters but having rallied to win on the final day last year.
Romero was dynamic in the second round, and she had to be after a rough stretch in the middle of her second nine holes. She crashed out of the lead with a double bogey on No. 4 and a bogey on No. 5, only to close with three straight birdies for a 68.
Woad and Romero tee off today at 10:20 a.m.

7:50 a.m.: Sriwong and Macnab are first up

First up at 7:50 a.m. are Achiraya Sriwong (Thailand) with 71 in the first round and 72 in the second for a total of 143, joined by Caitlyn Macnab (South Africa) with 70 in the first round at 73 in the second.

Here’s a look at the start times and pairings for today:

7:45 a.m.: The stage is set

After two rounds at Champions Retreat and a day of practice at Augusta National Golf Club, the top women amateur golfers are set for their final round this morning in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship.

Friday was a closed practice at the Augusta National Golf Club for all players who qualified for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

All 71 amateur women’s golfers had a chance to play on Friday afternoon. For 39 of them, they played the course without pressure. For the rest of the 32, they were playing to get a leg up on the leaderboard in today’s final.

Here’s a look at the leader board going into the final round:

7:35 a.m.: A new champion will be crowned today

7:30 a.m.: Scenes from the practice round at Augusta National

Today’s players go into the final round after a day of practice at Augusta National. Here are some of the memories they’ll have from that special day that few get to experience:

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