English amateur golfer Lottie Woad appears to have the backing of Amanda Balionis as she chases down a historic Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) title this week.
The popular sportscaster took to social media on Wednesday to heap praise on the 21-year-old, who made a strong start at Champions Retreat with a seven-under 65 during yesterday’s first round. However, she faces strong competition from America’s own amateur superstar in Megha Ganne, who finished the day at nine-under 63 to give herself a two-shot lead over the defending champion.
It was the lowest round in ANWA history, and Balionis was quick to show her support for Ganne by sharing her record score to her Instagram story, where she included the handshake emoji in her caption as a show of respect to the rising star. However, despite not winning, the 39-year-old soon diverted her attention to Woad.
In a follow up post on her Instagram Story, Balionis shared a clip of the Brit’s long-range putt that set her on her way during the first round. “Huge birdie for World #1 @lottie_woad… our defending champion is doing everything she can to chase down Ganne and set herself up to successfully defend come Saturday,” she wrote.
Then, shortly after, Balionis again gave special mention to the world’s number-one-ranked amateur, sharing a post of her opening day scorecard at Champions Retreat, a 27-hole private golf club where the opening two rounds are held just minutes from Augusta, after it was uploaded by the official ANWA golf account.
“World Number 1 doing World Number 1 things,” she began with her praise of the 2022 Girls Amateur Championship champion. “@lottie_woad trying to become the first reigning @anwagolf [champion] to successfully defend her title.”
(Image: Instagram – Amanda Balionis)
(Image: Instagram – Amanda Balionis)
If there was any indication that Balionis wanted Woad to win and make history, beating her fellow native Ganne in doing so, then this was it. What makes the achievement even more special is that the top 30 who make the cut play the final round at Augusta National, which hosts the Masters next week.
Ganne, however, will be hoping that this is the year she finally breaks her ANWA duck. This is her fifth time playing in the tournament, having advanced to the final round each of the last two years. Of course, however, she has been around long enough to realise there’s still a long road ahead, and won’t be getting too ahead of herself just yet.
As for Woad, sights are firmly set on creating history by becoming the first player to secure back-to-back ANWA titles, and will use the momentum of last year’s success as inspiration to get her over the line. Her 2024 victory at Augusta helped to kick-start a stellar year in which she played in her first majors, finished as the top Briton at the Women’s Open, helped to win the Curtis Cup and ended it as the world’s top-ranked amateur.
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA
