AUGUSTA, Ga. — Anna Davis doesn’t have any memories of the Masters or Augusta National. Her most vivid is watching Tiger Woods win in 2019, and she only learned of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year because a friend was competing.
“I’ve never really watched the Masters on TV,” said Davis, “which is a little weird.”
On Saturday the 16-year-old created her own memories among the Georgia Pines by claiming the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a 3-under 69 to finish as the lone player under par at 1 under. Davis, a high school sophomore, is the event’s youngest champion in its three-year history.
“I’m still a little shocked. I don’t think it’s processed yet that I’ve won here,” said Davis. “It’s pretty surreal to be honest. I’m speechless. I can’t even fathom what just happened. It all happened very quickly.”
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Davis held a share of the 18-hole lead and was two shots back entering the final round after the first 36 holes at Champions Retreat Golf Club in nearby Evans, Georgia. The Spring Valley, California, native turned in the second-lowest round of the day to post a number at 1 under, two shots behind then-leader Latanna Stone. After Stone made a costly double-bogey on the par-4 17th thanks to a three-putt, the two were tied for the lead with just the 18th remaining for Stone. The LSU junior had a putt to force a playoff that missed wide left, handing Davis the win.
A few words from our 2022 #ANWAgolf champion Anna Davis 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bZjSEuiqcv
— Augusta National Women’s Amateur (@anwagolf) April 2, 2022
Making her first appearance at the ANWA, Davis became the second teenage winner following Tsubasa Kajitani in 2021. Currently ranked second in the AJGA Rolex Rankings, Davis won the Girls Junior PGA Championship last July and was a member of the 2021 U.S. Junior Solheim Cup team.
Davis made four birdies in the final round at Augusta National, including two at Amen Corner on Nos. 12 and 13. Her lone bogey occurred on the par-4 third hole
Stone’s teammate Ingrid Lindblad, who finished T-3 at last year’s ANWA, shot the low round of the day, a 4-under 68 aided by a pair of eagles on the par-5 8th and 15th holes. The LSU junior finished T-2 alongside Stone at even par.
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Playing in the final group alongside Stone, Beatrice Wallin made birdie on two of her final four holes to finish T-4 alongside Alabama sophomore Benedetta Moresco and USC freshman phenom Amari Avery. The Florida State senior is the only player to play in all three editions of the ANWA and finish inside the top 10 (T-7 in 2019 and T-10 in 2021).
Five shots off the lead, Rachel Kuehn got off to a hot start with three straight birdies on Nos. 2, 3, and 4, as well was No. 7 to make the turn at 4 under on the day. With a chance to put up a number and apply pressure to the leaders, Kuehn made bogey on 18 to sign for a 69, ultimately finishing solo-seventh.
“I was very nervous. Definitely the most people I’ve played in front of. Got on the first tee, and I turned around and Annika Sorenstam sat there, and I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to hit the fairway.’ Didn’t hit the fairway,” said Kuehn with a laugh, “but it really is cool to see so many people out here supporting women’s golf. It’s just incredible. I think it’s a testament to what Augusta is doing here.”
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