Amateur

Augusta National to host women’s amateur tournament

Shubhankar Sharma
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 02: Shubhankar Sharma of India walks to a green during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 2, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

AUGUSTA, Ga. – A new women’s amateur tournament will be played partially at Augusta National the week before the Masters.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley announced the tournament Wednesday, calling it a move to help grow the game of golf. It will be called the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

The tournament will be played over three rounds, with the first two at the Champions Retreat outside Augusta and the final round played on the Saturday before the Masters at the famed Augusta National course.

Ridley said Masters officials believe it will be the most widely attended amateur tournament in the world, and by a large margin. The field will consist of 72 women invited by the Masters.

The Masters also hosts a youth putt, chip and drive contest on the Sunday before the Masters.