Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Two Texas Women’s Golfer’s will have the opportunity to represent the Longhorns in a pair of major events this week. Freshman Bohyun Park was selected as an amateur on a special sponsors invitation to compete against LPGA Tour Players in the Chevron Championship. Senior Sara Kouskova accepted an invitation as one of the world’s premier amateur golfers to compete in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“Playing in a major event like this means so much to me,” Park said. “It’s a great opportunity to watch, compete and learn against other top golfers, as well as playing in the atmosphere of the professional golf world.”
“I’m excited for Bo, this is a tremendous opportunity,” said head coach Ryan Murphy. “She has steadily climbed the world rankings and will gain some invaluable experience as she continues fine-tuning her game for the next level.”
Kouskova shares the same excitement for this tremendous opportunity.
“It’s incredible, it has been my dream to compete there from the time they announced the tournament’s creation,” Kouskova said. “Especially after being close the last two years, we are just so happy. It is going to be a great celebration for the whole Czech golf.”
“I don’t think there is anyone who deserves to be in the ANWA more than Sara,” Murphy added. “She made it a goal to gain an invite a long time ago and worked hard, played well in several big tournaments and literally did everything she could do to earn the invite via the world rankings. I’m so proud of Sara for the golfer that she is, the student that she is, the teammate that she is, and the person that she is.”
The Chevron Championship, one of the five major championships of professional women’s golf, is held annually at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Park will represent the Longhorns in the event that begins with practice rounds Monday and Tuesday, and includes a Pro-Am on Wednesday, before moving on to tournament play March 31-April 3. The Dinah Shore Trophy will await the amateur that wins the legendary championship.
“It’s such an honor to represent the Longhorn Women’s Golf Program on a LPGA major event,” said Park, who was selected based on her outstanding play during the 2021-22 season. “I am so grateful to be able to put UT on the screen.”
Kouskova will carry on a tradition of Longhorns in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, an event that includes a deep field of the world’s top amateurs. Played one week before the Masters Tournament, the Texas senior and the international field will compete across 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players taking place after 36 holes. The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, March 30-31. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round on Friday, April 1, with the final round of those that make the cut taking place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 2.
“Playing as a Longhorn is always an honor, and I am glad there will be burnt orange in the field again,” Kouskova added. “Agathe (Laisne), Kaitlyn (Papp) and Emilee (Hoffman) left a great legacy at ANWA, and I am humbled to have the chance to follow that Longhorn tradition.”
Both Park and Kouskova credit the Texas coaches and the Longhorn Women’s Golf program for preparing them for big-time opportunities like this. Murphy will caddie for Park in California, while associate head coach Kate Golden will be in Augusta supporting Kouskova from the sidelines.
“The preparation we get at UT is truly professional,” Kouskova said. “We have an amazing facility and team around us. Coach Murphy alongside with Coach Kate do a great job in preparing us in a really complex way that strengthens and sharpens all aspects of our games, but also accounts for the life of an elite golfer with character.”
“Coach Murphy and I have worked together several times on the course in previous tournaments, and I feel like we work well together, so I think that will be a bonus for this week,” Park said. “Playing in the collegiate events among other great players really developed my game and has helped me continue to grow and develop as a golfer.”
The Chevron Championship will be featured on Golf Channel Coverage with broadcasts airing on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. CT, along with Saturday and Sunday from 4-8 p.m. CT. Golf Channel will deliver on-site highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event.
