Lottie Woad’s title defense

There will be time to consider Woad’s legacy when her college and amateur careers are over. On Saturday, she is attempting to become the first player to defend her title and the first player to win the event twice. 

This is Woad’s third time playing in the ANWA. In her first year, she made the cut and finished in 13th place. An opening round 77 in 2023 is the only over-par round she has shot in the event. Last year, she finished with birdies on three of the final four holes to win.

This particular field is the strongest yet, and Woad seems completely at ease being back in the lead for a second year in a row. She held a two shot lead heading into the final round in 2024, but Bailey Shoemaker put the pressure on Woad with a 66 from way back in the field. After 14 holes, Woad was two shots behind Shoemaker. 

“I know from last year the pressures and stuff which you get on that day, and I'm hoping I might be in the final group, which would be nice. And so I'm used to that a little bit,” Woad said following the second round. 

She will be in the final group with Kiara Romero.

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Can Kiara Romero Make a Statement

Romero won the U.S. Girl’s Junior Championship in 2023 at the Eisenhower Course at the Air Force Academy. She stared down Rianne Malixi in that championship match and she’s had a strong first two seasons at Oregon. Her two wins as a freshman made her the first Oregon Duck to be named Freshman of the Year.

Romero has been knocking on the door all spring but hasn’t won in her sophomore year yet. Since February, she has had a staggering four runner-up finishes in five events. Her worst finish was 6th place at the Julie Inkster. 

Considering the incredible talent that has won the ANWA, Romero’s resume would fit right into those of past champions who were All-Americans and USGA champions. 

Stanford’s Showing Its Depth

Six players from Anne Walker’s current roster played this week. Toss in graduate Rachel Heck and seven of the 71 players competing are Stanford Cardinal. That’s incredible.

What’s more incredible is that every player except a rusty Heck made the cut. Three Cardinal are in the hunt and sit inside the top six. Andrea Revuelta and Megha Ganne are both 8-under par (T3) and Meja Örtengren is 7-under par (T6).  

Paula Martín Sampedro (3-under, T12), Nora Sundberg (2-under, T17), and Kelly Xu (1-under, T27) are also getting competitive reps at Augusta National on Saturday.

So can a second Stanford Cardinal win ANWA? Rose Zhang captured the title in 2023 and considering the team hasn’t lost a tournament in over a calendar year, the players know how to finish the job. 

Considering the young team that Walker has assembled, this performance is already another feather in the program’s cap. 

A Loaded Chasing Pack

To make it this far before mentioning Asterisk Talley is proof of ANWA’s strength. Talley finished T8 last year. It marked her arrival on the scene, as she would go on to win the U.S. Women’s Four-Ball and finish runner up in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior. She wins at an alarming clip on the AJGA.

On Friday, she fired a 66 to climb the leaderboard after a 71 in the opening round. Her 71 was hampered by a double bogey, it was the only blemish on her card to go with three birdies. 

Talley shot 70 last year at Augusta National. She’s a courageous player who liked to go at flags. She could make a bunch of birdies or Augusta National could bite back and teach the teenager a lesson. 

Either way, she’s must-watch television on Sunday. 

Spaniards Carla Bernat Escuder and Revuelta could find inspiration from the past champions who have won greens jackets at Augusta National. Bernat Escuder (Kansas State) has been very steady. She’s shot 68 both days at Champions Retreat and has only carded one bogey in 36 holes.  

How Far Back Is Too Far Back?

Bailey Shoemaker’s incredible 66 last year begs the question… how many players have a legitimate chance to win this championship. 

Jasmine Koo sits at 4-under par, five shots off the lead. A 66 would get anyone at that score to 10-under par. Mackenzie Lee (SMU) and Kary Hollenbaugh (Ohio State) are the other two at that score. 

That feels like the line of demarcation heading into Saturday’s final round. The group at 3-under is stacked with talent, but considering that amount of talent above them, it would be hard to imagine one of them winning it from six shots behind the leaders when the co-leaders are Lottie Woad and Kiara Romero.  

With a stacked leaderboard and Augusta National looming, Saturday’s final round of the ANWA is poised to deliver a thrilling finish. Whether it’s a repeat champion, a breakout win, or another last-minute charge, history is waiting to be made.

Television coverage will be from noon-3 pm EST on Golf Channel.