AUGUSTA, Ga. — Megha Ganne is no stranger to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Making her fifth appearance in the prestigious amateur event, she set out to prove that she is making this one count. Ganne shattered the Champions Retreat and Augusta National Women’s Amateur record with a 9-under 63 in the first round, putting herself comfortably in the lead heading into Thursday’s second round.
Starting on the back nine, Ganne wasted little time setting the pace, recording birdies on holes 11-13 to start 3-under through just four holes. It got even better on the front nine, as she birdied on one and then eagled on three thanks to a lengthy putt. It all added up to a 9-under 63, her lowest round at the collegiate level and a course record.
Her former teammate and 2023 winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Rose Zhang held the previous record. That year, Zhang fired a 66 in the first round, which was the record for the lowest score in the first round, before shooting a 65 in the second round to set the then-course record. Ganne broke both of those records with ease.
Ganne is well-positioned atop the leaderboard, but the reigning ANWA champion, Lottie Woad of Florida State, is two strokes back in second at 7-under. Amanda Sambach of Virginia is in third at 6-under, while Farah O’Keefe of Texas is in fourth at 5-under.
Of the seven current and former Cardinal in the field, six are above the projected cut line after the first round. Meja Örtengren is in a tie for fifth after the first round after posting a 4-under 68 on Wednesday, making up some ground and climbing into the top five after recording birdies on two of her final three holes of the morning. Örtengren has not made the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur since 2022.
Paula Martín Sampedro is one stroke behind Örtengren in a tie for tenth after a 3-under 69 in the opening round. Fellow Spaniard and teammate Andrea Revuelta is tied for 13th with a 2-under 70. Martín Sampedro was keeping pace with Ganne early, starting at 4-under through five holes after four quick birdies. Revuelta was near the top of the leaderboard as well until midway through the round, as she began her day 4-under through 12 holes.
The second round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins at 5:00 am PT with tee times scattered throughout the morning. The top 30 and ties will advance to the final round, to be played on Saturday, April 5. Golf Channel is providing live coverage of the event on both Thursday and Saturday afternoons.