This college player recorded her second ace in the span of five days at ANWA
This college player recorded her second ace in the span of five days at ANWA
EVANS, Ga. — Mackenzie Lee told her caddie on the fifth hole after a birdie at the Augusta National Women's Amateur that her only goal for the day was to finish under par. She then stepped up to the next tee and promptly recorded an ace, though she didn't actually see it.
"One of the caddies was like, I think that's in, "said SMU's Lee. "I'm like no. I'm like no way. I literally just had one last week, like you're lying to me."
Lee, 21, actually aced her first hole of the day in Round 2 of the Clemson Invitational on March 29. She started out the round on the seventh hole in the shotgun start and, after a 20-minute ride, knocked it in from 160 yards.
Wednesday's ace in the opening round of the ANWA was her second in the span of five days, her fourth in competition and seventh overall. Lee shot 4-under 68 to kick off her first ANWA and trails Stanford's Megha Ganne by five shots.
The Little Rock, Arkansas, product has five top-six finishes this season at SMU, including a trio of third-place finishes at the Chevron Collegiate, Briars Creek Invitational and Charles Schwab Women's Spring Invitational in 2025.
She's been trying to get into this field since she watched Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi duel at the inaugural event in 2019, calling it iconic. The outgoing Lee said she's feeding off the elevated atmosphere this week.
"The crowds, the cameras, like for me, it's very exciting," said Lee, beaming. "I was thriving in it. I'm like, yes, cameras!"
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