Arizona State junior Ashley Menne will make her second appearance at the fourth playing of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur today after making the cut and finishing tied for 29th at what has become arguably the biggest event in amateur golf.
Menne was named the Pac-12 Women’s Golfer of the Week on Tuesday after her T6 finish at the PING/ASU Invitational last weekend that was helped by a bogey-free 4-under-par 68 on Saturday. The Arizona native was also the co-champion at the Match in the Desert event in January where she shot a 7-under-par 65 to claim her first collegiate victory. The two-time All-American has nine top-10 finishes in her career including a fourth place finish the NCAA tournament her freshman season.
“Going back is a dream come true once again,” Menne, who departed for Georgia immediately after the conclusion of this weekend’s event said. “I look forward to this event every year and getting to play in it is special.”
Menne shot a pair of 74s on the first two days of the event last year at Champions Retreat Golf Club allowing her to make the weekend at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club. All competitors in the event play a practice round at the course where the Masters Tournament is held every year, but only the top 30 and ties get to play it in competition.
“Returning after having played in this event last year will help because I kind of know what I am getting into. Having played Augusta now, twice, I think I am going to be a little more prepared,” Menne said of the course that all golfers dream of playing. “Just knowing what shots to practice and what I need to do to prep mentally and with my game.”
At least one Sun Devil has made an appearance in every edition of the ANWA dating back to 2019, including five players in the inaugural edition of the event. Menne joins former Sun Devils Olivia Mehaffey and Linn Grant along with teammate Paula Schulz-Hanssen as a two-time participant in the tournament. Alexandra Forsterling, Alessandra Fanali, and senior Amanda Linner all made one appearance.
“To have a Sun Devil at every version of the ANWA dating back to 2019 is a reflection of the strength of the program,” head coach Missy Farr-Kaye said. “We take pride in our ability to attract and develop the best golfers in the World.”
The 72-player field teed off this morning and will continue play Thursday at Champions Retreat before the cut is made. The final round will take place on Saturday following Friday’s practice round at AGNC. The tournament will be broadcasted live on Golf Channel with the final round live on NBC. Menne teed off at 5:00 a.m. MST (8:00 a.m. EST) with Justice Bosio of Australia and 17-year-old Nika Ito of Japan.
