AUGUSTA, Ga.(WJBF) – Anna Davis, a 16 year-old high school sophomore from Spring Valley, California, won the 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a final round 69 at Augusta National Golf Club to finish as the only player under par for the tournament at -1, one better than overnight co-leaders Latanna Stone and Ingrid Lindblad.
“I’m still pretty shocked. I don’t think it’s processed that I won here,” she said during her champion’s news conference. “It’s pretty surreal, to be honest. I can’t even fathom what just happened. It all happened so quickly.”
Davis trailed Stone by two after Stone birdied No. 16, but with Davis in the clubhouse at -1, Stone double-bogeyed No. 17, then bogeyed No. 18, leaving the trophy to Davis.
She is ranked 100th in the latest World Amateur Golf Ranking after a third place finish at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in Graniteville last month. The win earns Davis a five-year exemption into this tournament, as well as invitations to this year’s U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s British Open.
“I want to be the best in the world, so I think playing in a tournament like this and playing Junior Golf from such a young age, my main goal has always been to be the best in the world.” Davis said.
Stone, a junior at LSU, finished with her third-straight round of 72, leaving her in a tie for second with her Tiger teammate Lindblad, the world’s No. 2-ranked women’s amateur.
“It’s kind of hard not to know where you are when there’s a bunch of leader boards out there,” Stone said. “So you take a little glance, kind of see where you are. I was three-under and it’s just kind of heartbreaking to do double and bogey over the last two holes.”
Lindblad shot the low round of the day Saturday with 68. She and Stone both finished even-par for the tournament.
“Today I played seven shots better here than last year, which is kind of crazy.” Lindblad said. “It’s just an amazing week and I didn’t have my best second round but, coming out here, everything can happen. I’m super excited to be here and happy about having a really good last round.”
As for Stone, she said she would rely on friends to help her deal with the events that transpired over her final two holes on Saturday.
“They distract me if I’m having a bad time, so, I’ll probably lean on them,” she said.
For final scoring and more tournament information, click here.
