Augusta National Women's Amateur 'Canceled'

The First Major Masters in April Moves to November, Women's Amateur Golf Tournament "Back Next Year"

Jennifer Kupcho (left) is taking a commemorative photo with Chairman Fred Ridley immediately after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur Golf Tournament last year. Getty images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The Augusta National Women's Amateur Golf Tournament has ultimately been canceled.

Augusta National Golf Club announced on the 7th (Korean time) that the first major Masters in April has been moved to November due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and the women's amateur event, which was scheduled a week earlier, has been completely removed from the schedule. The explanation given was, "The COVID-19 situation caused confusion, and with the U.S. college golf, World Amateur Team Championship, and LPGA Tour Q-Series all crowded into the fall, it is not feasible to accommodate the women's amateur event as well."

This year's eligibility will remain valid next year as long as the player does not turn professional. Tickets already purchased will be refunded in May, and priority will be given when purchasing tickets for next year. The women's amateur, first held last year, was significant because Augusta National had been notorious as a "geumnyeo (禁女, no women allowed) course" since its opening in 1933. African Americans were admitted in 1990, and women only joined in 2012, starting with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Dala Moore, a financial expert from South Carolina.

The automatic membership rule for Augusta National, tied to the CEO of Masters sponsor IBM, was the starting point. However, Augusta National refused to register Virginia Rometty, IBM's first female CEO in 2012, and civic groups along with major U.S. media such as The New York Times criticized the club heavily. Augusta National eventually yielded to the sponsor's influence. Rometty became the third female member in 2014.

Last year's women's amateur was won by world number one Jennifer Kupcho (USA) with a "4-stroke victory." She said, "I could have played in the LPGA Tour major ANA Inspiration during the same period, but stepping onto Augusta National was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," and thus gave up the major stage. The first and second rounds were held at the nearby Champions Retreat, and only the 30 players who advanced to the finals played the final third round at Augusta National. Next year's tournament is scheduled for April 1.