The 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins this Wednesday, April 1, and the field of 72 players represents the brightest young talent in women’s golf. Spread across two courses — Champions Retreat Golf Club for the first 36 holes and Augusta National for Saturday’s final round — the ANWA has become one of the sport’s most prestigious events since its inception in 2019. For the competitors, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk the same fairways that will host the Masters just days later.
The tournament has also become a proving ground for future stars. Previous ANWA competitors have gone on to successful professional careers, and the event’s profile continues to rise as women’s golf enjoys unprecedented growth in participation, broadcast coverage, and investment in 2026.
Format and Schedule
The ANWA follows a distinctive two-venue format. The first two rounds, on Wednesday and Thursday, take place at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Evans, Georgia. After 36 holes, the field is cut to the top 30 players (including ties), who advance to Saturday’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club.
The final round at Augusta National is the tournament’s centerpiece. Playing the same course that will host the Masters from April 9 to 12, the competitors experience Augusta’s legendary greens, Amen Corner, and the back-nine drama that defines major championship golf. The course plays from forward tees at approximately 6,365 yards, preserving the strategic integrity of the layout while adjusting for the field’s distance profile.
For fans, Saturday’s final round offers a rare chance to see Augusta National in competition mode before the Masters itself. The broadcast begins Saturday morning on a variety of networks and streaming platforms.
Players to Watch
The 2026 field features a strong international contingent alongside standout American collegians. Sixteen ACC conference players earned invitations, reflecting the strength of women’s college golf in the United States. Several competitors arrive having already earned national or international amateur titles.
While the amateur field changes substantially each year, the pattern from previous ANWA events is clear: the player who handles Augusta National’s greens best will win. The course’s putting surfaces are unlike anything most amateur competitors have encountered — lightning fast, severely undulating, and demanding precise distance control on approach shots.
Past champions have tended to be players who combine length off the tee with exceptional putting touch and the mental composure to handle the unique pressure of competing at Augusta National. The crowd atmosphere on the final Saturday is electric, and managing that energy is as much a part of winning as executing quality golf shots.
Why the ANWA Matters for Women’s Golf
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur has become a catalyst for growth in women’s golf at every level. The event validates women’s golf at the sport’s most iconic venue, sending a powerful signal about the future of the game. For junior golfers, earning an ANWA invitation has become a defining career goal — one that now sits alongside national amateur championships and college signing days as a measure of achievement.
The timing of the 2026 edition is particularly significant. Women’s golf is experiencing a boom in visibility and investment. The LPGA’s broadcast revolution has delivered unprecedented television coverage in 2026, with every round of every tournament now on live TV. The announcement of WTGL — the women’s version of TGL — has generated mainstream attention and star-power commitments from players like Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, and Nelly Korda.
Against this backdrop, the ANWA serves as a pipeline event. Several LPGA Tour stars first gained national attention through their ANWA performances, and the 2026 field likely includes players who will be contending in majors within the next few years.
What to Watch For
Amen Corner on Saturday. Holes 11, 12, and 13 at Augusta National are among the most famous in golf. Watching amateur players navigate Amen Corner — with its treacherous water hazards, swirling winds at the par-3 12th, and the risk-reward par-5 13th — is must-watch television. The drama is amplified because these players are experiencing the holes for the first time in competition.
Green reading ability. Augusta’s greens are the ultimate test of putting skill. The players who advance to Saturday’s round will have limited practice time on these surfaces, making green reading and touch the decisive factors. Watch for three-putts early in the round as players adjust, and look for the competitor who finds her speed fastest.
Course management decisions. Augusta rewards patience and punishes aggression that does not pay off. The winner will likely be a player who manages the course wisely — aiming for the center of greens when pins are tucked, laying up when risk outweighs reward, and trusting her short game to save pars.
The emotional factor. Playing Augusta National is a profound experience even for seasoned professionals. For a 19- or 20-year-old amateur walking those fairways for the first time with thousands of spectators watching, the emotional weight is enormous. The player who channels that energy into performance rather than letting it overwhelm her will have a significant advantage.
How to Watch
The final round at Augusta National will air Saturday, April 4, on NBC and its streaming platforms. Early rounds at Champions Retreat will be available through the ANWA website and select streaming services. For fans who plan to watch the Masters the following week, the ANWA is the perfect appetizer — a chance to see Augusta National in competition before the main event begins.
Key Takeaways
The 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur showcases 72 of the world’s best amateur players competing across two venues, with the top 30 earning the right to play Augusta National on Saturday. As women’s golf experiences its biggest year of visibility and investment, the ANWA serves as both a celebration of emerging talent and a gateway to the professional game. The tournament begins April 1, with the final round at Augusta National on April 4.
