María José Marín, just 19 and still a junior at the University of Arkansas, captured the coveted title at the Augusta National Women's Amateur on April 5, 2026! With an incredible total score of 14-under par, she not only dominated the field but also set a new tournament record. Folks, what an epic round!
The Unsung Hero on the Bag
But behind every stellar round, there's often an unsung hero. For Marín, that was her caddie Darren Woo, a firefighter whom she had only met two weeks prior at Champions Retreat. After a 14-hour shift, he kept her cool under pressure on the greens of Augusta National – “my biggest support and key to victory,” Marín stated. It really came down to the wire on the greens, but Woo kept his nerve.
Future in Sight: LPGA Beckons
This young woman is simply incredibly strong! Following her 2025 NCAA individual title, she now solidifies her dominance in the amateur circuit. The two points in the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program are just the next logical step on her path to a promising professional career. Things are certainly going well for María José Marín, and we're excited to see what else is in store!
