Maria Jose Marin of Colombia reacts to her birdie on the ninth green at Champions Retreat.
Beth Coulter began her campaign at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a strong one-under-par 71 at Champions Retreat. This performance placed her six strokes behind the leaders and within the anticipated cut line.
The 22-year-old Northern Irish talent, Beth Coulter, secured a tie for 23rd position. She trailed University of Arkansas junior Maria Jose Marin and 17-year-old Korean sensation Soomin Oh.
Marin and Oh delivered exceptional, bogey-free rounds of seven-under 65 on Wednesday, seizing a share of the first-round lead at the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Their commanding performance put them a single stroke ahead of three competitors who finished at six-under 66. Marin, starting her round on the back nine, quickly scored birdies on holes 12 and 15, followed by an impressive run of three consecutive birdies on holes 18, 1, and 2.
Following a series of pars, Marin concluded her round with birdies on her final two holes, establishing the leading score of seven-under. Ranked as the world’s No. 7 amateur, Marin boasts a victory and nine top-10 finishes for Arkansas this season, including a co-medalist title at the Clemson Invitational just days prior.
This marks Marin’s fourth appearance at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, with her best prior finish being T-14 in 2023. Reflecting on past experiences, Marin shared that her previous year was a significant learning curve, acknowledging the emotional challenge of missing the cut. She emphasized the importance of patience and trusting her game. Expressing confidence, Marin stated that her strong start validates her current form and strategy, especially in a tournament featuring the world’s top 72 amateur players, all vying for victory or a spot at Augusta.
Soomin Oh also demonstrated remarkable form, beginning her round with five birdies across her first nine holes, including a hat-trick on holes 7, 8, and 9. She further solidified her position with two late-afternoon birdies on holes 14 and 18, joining Marin atop the leaderboard heading into the second round at Champions Retreat.
The world’s No. 10 amateur, Oh, has had a successful season, securing runner-up finishes in three tournaments, including the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific and the Ladies European Tour’s Women’s New South Wales Open. She previously missed the cut in her debut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2025. Oh credited her strong driving and putting for her performance, noting her affinity for the course’s par-5s, which allow for easier birdie opportunities. She highlighted her strategy of maintaining a relaxed mindset, avoiding greed, and focusing intently on each shot.
Tournament Highlights and Records:
- The first round saw a record-low scoring average of 72.22 in the tournament’s history, continuing a trend of declining first-round averages since 2021. An unprecedented nine players completed bogey-free rounds, and a new high of 31 players finished under par.
- The top eight positions on the leaderboard showcased impressive international diversity, with players representing seven different nations: Colombia, South Korea, Canada, the United States, Spain, Australia, and Sweden.
- Canadian Vanessa Borovilos set a new record for first-time participants with an outstanding six-under 66. Borovilos is a decorated junior golfer, a four-time Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalist, and the 2018 National Champion in the Girls 10-11 category.
- Asterisk Talley delivered a memorable moment by holing out from a bunker for an eagle on the par-5 18th. This marked the eighth eagle recorded on that specific hole in the tournament’s history.
- World No. 1 Kiara Romero began with a two-under 70, placing her in a tie for 15th. Meanwhile, 2022 champion Anna Davis carded a one-under 71, finishing tied for 23rd.
- The second round is scheduled for Thursday at Champions Retreat, with live coverage available on Golf Channel from 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET.
- After the second round concludes, a cut will be implemented, allowing the top 30 players and those tied for 30th to advance to Saturday’s final round at Augusta National.