ANWA WINNER
Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis receives invitation to new California LPGA event
David Cannon
Anna Davis will be taking her bucket hat to the LPGA.
The surprise 16-year-old winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this month was given a sponsor's exemption into the inaugural Palos Verdes Championship presented by Bank of America in California, Davis’ home state.
The event is April 28-May 1 at Palos Verdes Golf Club in Palos Verdes Estates. This will be the LPGA debut for the high school sophomore from Spring Valley, Calif.
Davis trailed by two shots heading into the final round at Augusta National Golf Club but made birdies on Nos. 9, 12 and 13 before closing with a three-under 69 to win by one shot over Ingrid Lindblad and Latanna Stone. She was the only player to finish the 54-hole championship under par, and the victory vaulted her to No. 47 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Before the ANWA victory, Davis won twice last year, including a seven-stroke victory at the Girls Junior PGA. She was a member of the 2021 U.S. Junior Solheim Cup team and is an AJGA All-American.
The other sponsor exemption for the Palos Verdes Championship is Wake Forest junior Rachel Kuehn, winner of the 2022 Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge last month at Palos Verdes Golf Club.
Nine of the top-10 players in the world are scheduled to play in the event. The LPGA is also in the Los Angeles area this week, hosting the DIO Implant LA Open at Wilshire Country Club.