BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech women's golfer Emily Mahar has earned an invitation to compete in the 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur, which will be held March 30 through April 2 in Augusta, Ga.
With her selection, Mahar becomes the first Hokie to play in the prestigious event that's in its third year of competition. The Brisbane, Australia native was selected based on her top-60 World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) status. She is currently ranked No. 45 in the world.
"I'm super excited about the phone call I just received," Mahar said from Sunset, S.C., where the Hokies will be playing this weekend. "I've been working so hard this semester and the past few years, and it's pretty cool to see it all finally paying off. To be the first Hokie to do it, I just hope it paves the way for the rest of our future Hokies to do the same. I'm looking forward to the event next week."
An international field will compete over 54 holes of stroke play. Following 36 holes, a cut will take place advancing the leading 30 players to the final round at Augusta National Golf Club. In the event of a tie after 54 holes, the winner will be decided by a sudden-death playoff.
The first 36 holes will be contested over two days on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., March 30 and 31. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on Friday, April 1. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 2 and will feature the top 30 competitors who made the cut.
Mahar will head to Augusta on a tear, having finished in the top-five of her previous four events. She carries a team-best 72.05 scoring average and is ranked No. 26 in the nation by Golfstat.
Provided she remain an amateur, the 2022 Augusta National Women's Amateur Champion will receive an invitation to the next five Augusta National Women's Amateurs, the 2022 U.S. Women's Open, the 2022 Women's British Open, and any USGA, R&A and PGA of America amateur championships for which she is eligible for one year.
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours of live final-round coverage at Augusta National from Noon – 3 p.m. EDT on April 2. NBC Sports will also provide pre-event promotion across NBCUniversal's portfolio, while Golf Channel will deliver highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event, including on-site during the first two competitive rounds at Champions Retreat. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 1 from Augusta National and wrap ANWA coverage on Saturday, April 2 and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals on Sunday, April 3.
