Kupcho shares first-round lead at Augusta National Women's Amateur
Jennifer Kupcho shared the lead as inaugural edition of Augusta National Women's Amateur teed off.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The world s top-ranked amateur Jennifer Kupcho and 16-year-old Zoe Campos shared the lead Wednesday as the inaugural edition of the Augusta National Women s Amateur teed off.
The tournament, announced to great fanfare last year by organizers of the Masters, will see women compete for the first time for a trophy at Augusta National on Saturday after the field is winnowed from 72 to 30 for the final round.
It s a landmark move for the club that didn t admit any women members until 2012.
On Wednesday, Kupcho and Campos led the field at Champions Retreat Golf Club, venue for the first two rounds.
US collegiate champion Kupcho was first on the first tee at 9 a.m., conquering her nerves to drill her drive and launch what she called a "perfect" day.
"It was very official," Kupcho said. "I walked up, everyone was very quiet, like no talking to each other at all. I was like, Oh, my gosh, this is crazy."
With Augusta National and Masters Tournament Chairman Fred Ridley in attendance, Kupcho admitted she was "a little nervous".
It didn t show as she hit every green in regulation in her bogey-free four-under round.
"No three-putts and hit all of the greens. I think that is the first perfect round I ve ever played," Kupcho said. "I was just playing really well."
Campos birdied the last tie for the lead and said she was pleased with the chance to see where her game stacks up "at the highest amateur level".
"It is a really good experience," she said.
Creation of the event has been hailed by women golfers past and present as a way of finally giving girls and young women the chance to dream of competing at Augusta National that aspiring male golfers have nursed for decades.
In addition to the final round on Saturday, all 72 entrants will play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday.
"This championship is fantastic for women s golf," said Swedish 10-time major champion Annika Sorenstam. "Young girls are going to be energized and motivated by seeing this event unfold for years to come."
