Four Ducks in Action at Augusta National Women's Amateur
04/01/26 | Women's Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga. - Two current members of the Oregon women's golf team and two future Ducks will be in action this week at the 2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur, the biggest event of the year for women's amateur golf.
The field is led by Oregon junior Kiara Romero, the No. 1 ranked amateur women's golfer in the world who will make her third ANWA start. Romero is joined by fellow Oregon junior Karen Tsuru, who will make her debut in Augusta.
Also in action will be two players who will join the Ducks next fall in transfer Catherine Rao and incoming freshman Prim Prachnokorn. Rao, a transfer from Princeton, will make her second ANWA start while Prachnakorn will make her first.
Golf Channel will have live coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT. The final round on Saturday will live on NBC from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT.
Romero is considered a favorite in the field as the No. 1 amateur in the world. She failed to make the cut in her first start in 2024, but then shot 67-68 in the opening rounds in 2025 to hold a share of the lead with then-world No. 1 Lottie Woad entering the final round. She ended in a tie for seventh, but gained valuable experience by playing in the final pairing on one of the sport's biggest stages.
"You think about competing at Augusta, and only the best players in the world have ever done that," Romero said. "Especially being in the final round, playing with the No. 1 golfer in the world at the time, obviously the crowd was pretty big on the first tee box. Pressure was high, and I was a little bit nervous, but I definitely calmed down after a few holes.
"Getting that experience and knowing what it's going to be like so I can prepare for it a little bit better," she added, "I think that will be really good."
For the second year in a row, Romero will have her sister and current Oregon assistant coach, Kaleiya Romero, as her caddie for the tournament.
The field is led by Oregon junior Kiara Romero, the No. 1 ranked amateur women's golfer in the world who will make her third ANWA start. Romero is joined by fellow Oregon junior Karen Tsuru, who will make her debut in Augusta.
Also in action will be two players who will join the Ducks next fall in transfer Catherine Rao and incoming freshman Prim Prachnokorn. Rao, a transfer from Princeton, will make her second ANWA start while Prachnakorn will make her first.
Play begins on Wednesday with the first of two rounds of stroke play at Champions Retreat Golf Course. Following the second round on Thursday, the 72-player field will be cut to the top 30 including ties. The entire field will then play a practice round at the famous Augusta National Golf Club before the final round at Augusta on Saturday.Ducks will be out in force this week at the 2026 Augusta National Women's Amateur!
— Oregon Women's Golf (@OregonWGolf) March 30, 2026
Kiara Romero and Karen Tsuru will be in the field along with future Ducks Catherine Rao and Prim Prachnakorn ??
Action begins on Wednesday!#GoDucks x @anwagolf pic.twitter.com/r8ZkWk9a0E
Golf Channel will have live coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT. The final round on Saturday will live on NBC from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT.
Romero is considered a favorite in the field as the No. 1 amateur in the world. She failed to make the cut in her first start in 2024, but then shot 67-68 in the opening rounds in 2025 to hold a share of the lead with then-world No. 1 Lottie Woad entering the final round. She ended in a tie for seventh, but gained valuable experience by playing in the final pairing on one of the sport's biggest stages.
"You think about competing at Augusta, and only the best players in the world have ever done that," Romero said. "Especially being in the final round, playing with the No. 1 golfer in the world at the time, obviously the crowd was pretty big on the first tee box. Pressure was high, and I was a little bit nervous, but I definitely calmed down after a few holes.
"Getting that experience and knowing what it's going to be like so I can prepare for it a little bit better," she added, "I think that will be really good."
For the second year in a row, Romero will have her sister and current Oregon assistant coach, Kaleiya Romero, as her caddie for the tournament.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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