Before they turned pro: Jennifer Kupcho

April 4, 2022 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

- Colorado Golf Association photo

The newest major champion knows how to win, and made a habit of it on the biggest amateur stages including Augusta National

Winning is never easy, especially when it is your first LPGA Tour win, and a major at that. But for Jennifer Kupcho, capturing the Chevron Championship was no doubt made easier by having the memories of winning at every level, from junior to amateur to college to pro.

As an amateur, the native of Westminster, Colo. dominated in her home state, winning three Colorado Women's Golf Association (CWGA) titles, including one by 13 shots. She became first player in state history to be named both the CWGA Player of the Year and Junior Player of the Year in the same season.

She refined that winning habit at Wake Forest, racking up nine individual titles including the NCAA Women's Championship in 2018. The awards followed, including being named a First-Team WGCA All-American, and winning the 2018 McCormack Medal as year-end No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Her first big win on the international stage came in 2017 with a wire-to-wire win at the Canadian Amateur, but it was her performance at the inaugural Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) that catapulted Kupcho to new heights and previewed the success she would have on the LPGA Tour. Kupcho went five under on her final six holes to outduel Maria Fassi and become the first woman to ever win at Augusta National.

How fitting it was that her first major professional win was the same week that the ANWA was being held, three years after her memorable win there.

Here are a few of the stories from our coverage of Jennifer Kupcho the amateur:

Kupcho hits all the right notes in winning at Augusta National
Apr 06, 2019 - In her own understated way, Jennifer Kupcho sent a message with a hard-fought victory at the Augusta National Women's Amateur
All eyes on women's golf as Kupcho strikes opening ANWA shot
Apr 03, 2019 - When the first ball went in the air Tuesday morning at Champions Retreat, the Augusta National Women's Amateur became real
Kupcho the it-girl, co-leader at Augusta National Women's Am
Apr 03, 2019 - Jennifer Kupcho hit the opening ANWA tee shot on her way to the first-round co-lead at Champions Retreat
Kupcho, Migliaccio lead Wake to record-breaking home win
Mar 31, 2019 - Wake Forest has now won its last two events as it prepares to send its top two players to Augusta National next week
Kupcho beats opponents' course record to lead in Canada
Jul 24, 2018 - Jennifer Kupcho, with 64, bettered a course record posted hours earlier by her opponents at Marine Drive Golf Club
Women's NCAAs: Gutsy Kupcho Avenges Last Year's Heartbreak
May 21, 2018 - Wake Forest's Jennifer Kupcho had a year to think about losing the NCAAs late; today was her redemption
Course Record Gives Jennifer Kupcho Early NCAA Lead
May 18, 2018 - The Wake Forest junior continues to validate her high ranking and keep the Demon Deacons on the map
Wake Forest Advances from Tallahassee Regional in Playoff
May 09, 2018 - Behind medalist Jennifer Kupcho, the Demon Deacons beat Clemson for the final NCAA Championship spot
Bryan Natl Collegiate: Kupcho Leads Wake Forest to Sweep
Apr 08, 2018 - Jennifer Kupcho wins her second tournament of the year as Wake Forest beats the wind, rain and the field at Bryan Park
Jennifer Kupcho Goes Wire-to-Wire at Canadian Women's Am
Jul 28, 2017 - The Westminster, CO based Kupcho captures a national amateur title with a five-shot win over Lilia Vu
Kupcho Wins Colorado Women's Stroke Play by 13
Jun 21, 2017 - The #3 ranked player in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's World Rankings wins 4th straight CWGA major
Wake Forest wins Tar Heel Invite, Jennifer Kupcho Medals
Oct 16, 2016 - Both Wake Forest and Kupcho were wire-to-wire winners at UNC's Finley Golf Course

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