This Florida phenom can't wait for another crack at the Augusta National Women's Amateur

USA Today

02-04-2025

This Florida phenom can't wait for another crack at the Augusta National Women's Amateur
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Masters: What is Amen Corner?
Augusta National is the home of the Masters Tournament and Amen Corner, considered hallowed grounds in the golf world.
Ginny Beagan, Augusta Chronicle
Gianna Clemente, the reigning AJGA Female Player of the Year, is competing in her third Augusta National Women's Amateur this week.
Clemente finished fifth in last year's ANWA after entering the final round in second place.
The 54-hole tournament begins Wednesday at Champions Retreat Golf Club, with the top 30 players advancing to the final round at Augusta National on Saturday.
Clemente said she focused on improving her distance in preparation for the tournament.
Gianna Clemente's played in plenty of premier tournaments in her stellar junior and amateur golf career. So it'd be understandable for the Estero resident to view this week's Augusta National Women's Amateur as just the next one on the schedule.
However, the 17-year-old phenom is just as thrilled to play in her third ANWA as she was for her first.
'Oh my gosh, I mean, I can't even explain it,' Clemente said. 'I remember going to Augusta National for the first time and playing my first practice around there in 2023 and I was just star struck. You know, it's just like something literally every golfer dreams of, right?
'To be able to go back, I think we're all just honored to be there. And they put on such a great event. They treat us so well, and it's just such an amazing experience for all of us. I'm so excited to go back.'
Clemente, the reigning American Junior Golf Association's Female Player of the Year, entered the final round of last year's ANWA in second place, two shots behind England's Lottie Woad. She shot a 1-over 73 at Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament, to end up in fifth place.
'I think being in the final pairing, I mean, that was such an amazing day, even though I might not have played perfectly,' Clemente said. 'It was just such a great experience. I think it's so great that so many people come out there to support us. And you know, there's cameras in your face and I personally love that kind of stuff.'
Lottie Woad is No. 1 ranked amateur
Woad, a junior at Florida State and currently the world's top-ranked amateur women's golfer, will be back to defend her ANWA title. All top-50 eligible players from the final 2024 World Amateur Golf Rankings will be among the 72 golfers in the field.
Clemente, currently ranked No. 22, finished seventh at her last tournament, the Junior Invitational held March 19-22 at Sage Valley Golf Club in Aiken, S.C. Tough conditions at the course led to just two female players finishing the tournament under par.
Following that event, Clemente said she gave herself a self-imposed break from the game to rest up for what can be a grueling week at the ANWA.
When is the Augusta National Women's Amateur?
The 54-hole stroke play tournament begins Wednesday with two competition rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club. On Friday, the entire field will play a practice round at Augusta National. The top 30 players (and ties) after the first two rounds compete in the final at Augusta National on Saturday.
'I think Sage Valley is a really good preparation for Champions Retreat,' Clemente said. 'Sage can be really difficult at times and Champions can be a really tough course as well. I personally really like tough golf courses. I think, I think they're more fun to play, and it gives me a little bit of a challenge.'
Clemente said she put in a lot of work on improving her distance and is starting to see those results in competition. One of the biggest reasons for her consistent success, however, is her ability to keep each performance, both good and bad, in the proper context.
'I think just staying patient is a really big thing for me,' Clemente said. 'I've been playing junior golf and amateur golf events for four or five years now, and I think it's important to have a vision of what the big picture looks like. I know that there's a lot of tournaments in my future, and even if one doesn't go exactly the way that I want it to, I know I still have next week and the week after that.'