For the competitors in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Friday is arguably the most anticipated day of the tournament, even if it’s only an occasionfor practice rounds. Not just any practice rounds, mind you. All 72 players are guaranteed to fulfill what is universally a dream to play Augusta National Golf Club.
This particular Friday, on the first of April, the introduction or return (for some) to America’s most recognizable golf course will have to wait. Bad weather delayed the second of two rounds at Champions Retreat, and even when players were able to return in bright sunshine, only a six were able to finish before darkness fell.
The second round will resume at 7:30 a.m. ET on Friday morning, with a potential playoff to follow, because only the top 30 players reach the final round that will be played on Saturday at Augusta National. This is the first time in the three stagings of the ANWA that weather has pushed a continuation of the second round to Friday.
As for who is leading, that is in the eye of the beholder. Sweden’s Beatrice Wallin, a 22-year-old senior at Florida State, and Californian Amari Avery, 18, out of USC, each stood at even par for the touranment and were one under in the second round through 16 holes. Californian Hailey Borja, a 20-year-old who attends Michigan, was the only player in red figures until she made back-to-back bogeys on the 10th and 11th holes, and she’ll return at even overall with seven holes to play on Friday.
The clubhouse leader, at two over, is 18-year-old Californian Anna Davis, who followed her 70 in the first round with a 76 on Thursday.
The cut line heading into Friday stands at scores of four over or better. There are 25 women in that group, with 11 players projected to compete in a playoff for five spots. That, or course, can change dramatically over the final stretch of holes. Among those fighting for a spot in the final 30 is the current No. 1 amateur in the world, Rose Zhang, who is five over through 14.
Emily Migliaccio, who finished second in the ANWA last year, is inside the cutline at four under through 10 holes.