Augusta National Embraces Women's Golf with ANWA Tournament

Sponsors like Mercedes-Benz are investing in the event to drive growth and visibility for the next generation of female golfers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:53pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished silver trophy with the Augusta National Women's Amateur logo engraved on it, placed on a clean, monochromatic background and dramatically lit to convey the prestige and significance of the tournament.The Augusta National Women's Amateur trophy, a symbol of the growing investment and visibility in women's golf.Augusta Today

The Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) tournament, launched in 2019, has become a major draw at Augusta National Golf Club, home of the prestigious Masters tournament. Sponsors like Mercedes-Benz are using the ANWA to support and promote women's golf, even as Augusta National has a history of excluding female members. The event provides a unique platform for top amateur female golfers to compete on the iconic course, and has generated excitement among fans and the golf community.

Why it matters

The ANWA represents an important step forward for women's golf, as Augusta National, long known for its exclusion of female members, now hosts a high-profile tournament for the sport's rising stars. Sponsors like Mercedes-Benz are investing in the event to help grow the women's game and provide visibility for the next generation of female golfers.

The details

The ANWA is a three-day tournament that takes place just before the Masters, with the final round played on Augusta National's course. The event has attracted top amateur female golfers from around the world, including last year's champion Carla Bernat Escuder, who received a congratulatory message from 2025 Masters champion Rory McIlroy. This year, 19-year-old Maria Jose Marin won the tournament. While Augusta National still does not host a tournament for female professional golfers, the club says the ANWA helps grow the game and support the next generation of female talent.

  • The Augusta National Women's Amateur was launched in 2019.
  • The 2026 ANWA tournament took place this past weekend.

The players

Melody Lee

Chief Marketing Officer of Mercedes-Benz, a presenting sponsor of the ANWA.

Carla Bernat Escuder

The 22-year-old Spanish golfer who won the 2025 ANWA tournament.

Maria Jose Marin

The 19-year-old who won the 2026 ANWA tournament.

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What they’re saying

“You can't afford to follow just trends and buzz and experiment lightly when you've got a brand to take care of for 144 years.”

— Melody Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, Mercedes-Benz

“It's really important to have long-term partnerships in which we build equity in the sport. You need leadership in the sport. And you need brands to underwrite it as well.”

— Melody Lee, Chief Marketing Officer, Mercedes-Benz

What’s next

The 2027 Augusta National Women's Amateur is scheduled to take place in April, drawing continued attention and investment from sponsors like Mercedes-Benz as they work to support the growth of women's golf.

The takeaway

The Augusta National Women's Amateur has become a powerful platform for showcasing the next generation of female golfers, with sponsors like Mercedes-Benz playing a key role in driving visibility and investment in the women's game. This represents an important evolution for Augusta National, which has historically excluded women, and highlights the broader momentum behind women's sports.