Colombian golfer Maria Jose Marin wrote one of the most significant chapters in national sports history on Saturday, April 4. At the legendary Augusta National Golf Club—home of the Masters, the world’s most celebrated golf tournament—the 19-year-old claimed the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) title and shattered the event’s scoring record. With a total of 202 strokes (14 under par), she became the first Latin American to win the tournament in its seven editions.
Augusta National stands as the most exclusive golf club on the planet. Its limited membership remains accessible only through private invitation and, for decades, excluded women entirely. The club only admitted its first female members in 2012. In this historically closed arena, Marin asserted her authority, finishing four strokes ahead of Spain’s Andrea Revuelta. South Korea’s Soomin Oh completed the podium, trailing the Colombian by five strokes.
A victory built with her father in the stands
Behind the title lay a strategic decision as crucial as any swing: Marin’s father, Jose, who had carried her bag in her three previous appearances, chose to step aside for Darren Woo. Woo, a 56-year-old firefighter and local caddie at Champions Retreat, took over the bag for the final stages. Jose told his daughter she needed a seasoned caddie who understood how to navigate a tournament of that caliber. The athlete described this as “the most beautiful and selfless decision he could make.”
The choice proved pivotal. Woo kept Marin’s mental game steady throughout the week, especially during high-pressure moments. In the final round, the Colombian took the solo lead on the back nine but carded a bogey on the 15th hole after noticing her wide margin on the leaderboard. She immediately responded with a birdie on the 16th to stabilize her scorecard. Every time she hit a poor shot, Woo told her to breathe, stay calm, and trust her process.
A record for the ages
The tournament format demands elite consistency over three days. Marin opened with a 65 in the first round to share the lead and maintained her momentum with a 69 in the second. She is only the second player in championship history to complete all three rounds in the 60s. Her final-round 68 at Augusta National sealed the record.
The most demanding stretch, known as “Amen Corner” (comprising holes 11, 12, and 13), presented the greatest challenge due to its treacherous design and swirling winds. Marin navigated the sector without a single dropped shot, protecting her lead with conservative targets and emerging from the stretch with a definitive advantage over her rivals.
Marin’s progression in this specific tournament reflects her competitive maturity. She finished 14th in 2023, 30th in 2024, and missed the cut in 2025. This fourth appearance proved to be the charm.
Path to the professional elite
While winning the 2025 Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) in Mexico opened many doors, this triumph projects her into the global spotlight. As the ANWA champion, Marin earned exemptions to compete this year in four of the five professional women’s Majors: the Chevron Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open, the Evian Championship, and the AIG Women’s Open. She also secured her spot in the next five editions of this amateur tournament, provided she maintains her amateur status. However, those close to her believe turning professional is only a matter of time.
She currently competes in the U.S. collegiate circuit for the University of Arkansas, where she has already earned First Team All-American honors twice.
Speaking to the media, Marin reflected: “I am very happy. Competing for Colombia as I have done since I was nine years old makes me proud.” When asked for a message to her younger self, she was direct: “I thank her for never giving up. I dedicate this title to my nine-year-old self.”
During the trophy ceremony, Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley highlighted her achievement: “You are now part of the history of Augusta National.”