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Technically, two Australians will tee up at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship next week although only one under our national flag. Prolific winner Jeneath Wong was born in Malaysia but grew up in Melbourne and the recently-crowned Asia-Pacific Women’s Amateur champion will join Queenslander Sarah Hammett as the two players Australian golf fans will be cheering on when one of the world’s most prestigious women’s amateur golf tournaments kicks off in the US on Wednesday, April 2 (Thursday, April 3, Australian time).
Since its inaugural edition in 2019, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur has provided an incredible showcase of emerging talent, with past champions including LPGA Tour stars Jennifer Kupcho and Rose Zhang. The 54-hole tournament format offers a unique test: 36 holes at Champions Retreat in nearby South Carolina before the top 30 players advance to the final round at Augusta National, in what is the Saturday before Masters week. Those players also get a practice round at Augusta National on the Friday.
Jeneath Wong: Back for Another Shot
Melbourne-raised Wong will be making her second appearance at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (MC, 2023). Wong will head to Augusta with a spring in her step after impressive results and wins recently. In March, Wong captured the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific title in dramatic fashion, securing victory with birdies on her final two holes in Vietnam. That win adds to a stellar amateur career that includes victories in the Women’s Australian Master of the Amateurs (2022) and back-to-back Australian Girls’ Amateur titles (2021, 2022).
Now a standout at Pepperdine University, Wong has been a consistent performer in college golf, recording four top-15 finishes this season. Her ability to compete under pressure will be handy at Augusta National, where composure on the greens and precise approach play are essential.
Sarah Hammett: The Debutant on the Rise
Joining Wong in Augusta will be Queensland’s Sarah Hammett, who has earned her invitation through an impressive stretch of performances over the past year. Hammett has been a dominant force in Australian amateur golf, finishing runner-up in both the Australian Women’s Amateur and the Queen Sirikit Cup. Her international success includes a T-3 finish at the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan and a strong showing in the Girls’ 15-18 division at the Junior World Championships in San Diego.
While this will be Hammett’s first time competing at Augusta National, she has already demonstrated her ability to step up on big stages. At just 15 years old, she recorded two top-10 finishes in Ladies European Tour events in Australia, proving her game can translate to elite competition.
