Lignell Chases History at Augusta National Women’s Amateur

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Ole Miss women’s golf was well-represented at the opening round of play at the 2023 Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Wednesday, with two current and one former Rebel teeing off in the prestigious event.

Senior Andrea Lignell was on a different level to open her weekend, fighting her way up into second place heading into round two of the ANWA. Fellow Rebel Chiara Tamburlini ended her day above the cut line in a tie for 23rd, while Rebel alumnus Julia Johnson sits 43rd overall.

All three will be looking to sit in the Top 30 including ties at the conclusion of Thursday’s second round on the Golf Channel to avoid the cut and advance to Saturday’s final round. Saturday’s finale will be played at Augusta National Golf Club with television coverage provided by NBC.

Lignell saw a dominant start to her weekend in Georgia, carding a bogey-free round of 67 (-5) to sit in second place overall and just one stroke back from tournament leader and WAGR’s World No. 1 golfer Rose Zhang of Stanford. With her round of 67, Lignell is just the third player in the history of the ANWA to shoot a round of 67 or better in the tournament.

“I definitely didn’t see myself starting things off with a 67,” Lignell said. “Yesterday was my first time being able to play this course, so I was anticipating maybe a score around par to start things off. 

“Today was honestly just so much fun. It was really just unbelievable. The putter was definitely hot today and it hasn’t been this hot in a long time.”

The Gothenburg, Sweden, native will be eyeing to become the first ever Ole Miss women’s golfer to make the final cut at the Augusta Women’s National Amateur, with only the Top 30 including ties advancing to Saturday’s final round at Augusta National Golf Club.

Tamburlini will also be aiming to shoot above the cut line in Thursday’s second round after a strong round of 74 (+2) by the St. Gallen, Switzerland, native. The senior was able to battle back after a slow start to her tournament, grabbing two birdies in her back nine including one that came after a near-miss eagle chip to put her in a tie for 23rd heading into cut day.

Rebel alum Julia Johnson sits tied for 43rd after carding a 76 (+4) in round one, one shot away from the current cut line. Johnson is playing in her third consecutive ANWA tournament, having also participated in…