Megha Ganne sits on top of the leaderboard after day 1 of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur

Round one of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur wrapped up on Wednesday with Megha Ganne, of the United States, at the top spot nine under par with a score of 63.

A Stanford University junior, Ganne is two strokes ahead of the 2024 ANWA Champion, Lottie Woad, who finished seven under par with a 65. Ganne played a bogey-free opening round, with her score of 63 being the lowest round in ANWA history. She finished the round with seven birdies and an eagle at third hole, which is a par-5. 

“I think it was just a really, good day. Great timing to have — this is my career low in a golf tournament, so I had a feeling I was going to go low today, but not this low. So, I’m just trying to enjoy it,” Ganne said.

Ganne, 21, started the day on hole 10 and in her three birdies on the first four holes. She finished her first nine holes at four under par and then went on to have three more birdies and an eagle on the back nine. Her score of 63 beat a record set by Rose Zhang, a former Stanford teammate who shot 65 in 2023. She tied another record for most birdies or better in a round with eight.

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“I think it’s the most exciting week in amateur golf, men’s or women’s, period, in my opinion,” Ganne said. “I think everyone in golf knows about it. They might not know about certain other tournaments, but when this one’s happening, people tune in. It just draws so much attention in the best way, and these women carry themselves in such a great way. I’m really excited to see where the tournament goes although I don’t think it can get that much better than it is now.”

The 21-year-old is making her fifth appearance at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. In the past, she has advanced to the final round in the last two tournaments, with her best finish being a tie in ninth place in 2023. She is also a four-time Drive, Chip and Putt National finalist at the Augusta National Golf Club. 

At the top of the leaderboard along with Ganne and Woad is a three-way tie between Amanda Sambach, Kiara Romero and Farah O’Keefe with a five under par of 67.

“Leading into last year, I had made some swing changes. Not that many this year. I’ve  just been working out a lot more – not necessarily lifting weights, but after my injury, getting a lot more flexible and mobile in my hip, which I didn’t know that was like a weakness of mine,” Ganne said. “So, after that, I think my swing kind of — like I saw the progress in my swing just from that. So, like not intentional changes, but definitely feel like I’m clearing through the ball better. So that’s been nice.”

The second round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur will continue Thursday, April 3 at Champions Retreat in Evans. Live coverage will be on Golf Channel from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Following the second round, the top 30 players and ties will make it to the final round on Saturday, April 5 at the Augusta National.