Maria Jose Marin’s name will be etched into the history books after a dazzling display at Augusta National, where the 19-year-old Colombian amateur golfer stormed to victory at the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) on April 4, 2026. Marin, a junior at Arkansas and the reigning NCAA Women’s Golf Individual Champion, finished the tournament at a record-breaking 14-under par, four strokes clear of her nearest challenger, Stanford’s Andrea Revuelta. It was a performance loaded with composure, resilience, and a touch of good fortune, as the drama of Augusta’s famed back nine unfolded in front of a growing global audience.
This was Marin’s fourth appearance at the ANWA, but the first in which she teed off as the National Champion after her triumph at the NCAA championship in May 2025. The pressure was on, yet she handled it with the poise of a seasoned pro. Her opening rounds of 65 and 69 set a blistering pace, but it was her final round 68—played in the penultimate pairing—that truly sealed her legacy. Marin’s 54-hole total of 202 set a new tournament record by two shots, underscoring just how dominant she was over one of the most storied courses in golf.
But this wasn’t a wire-to-wire victory. Heading into the final round, Marin trailed 17-year-old Asterisk Talley by two strokes. Talley, the overnight leader, had looked unflappable through 36 holes and even extended her advantage early in the final round. Yet, Augusta National’s back nine has a way of separating contenders from champions. The pivotal moment arrived at the par-3 12th hole—one of the course’s most notorious tests. Marin’s tee shot flirted with disaster, stopping just shy of the water. She calmly got up and down for par, keeping herself in the hunt.
Meanwhile, Talley’s fortunes took a dramatic turn. Her tee shot on 12 sailed long into the back bunker. Attempting to recover, she twice found Rae’s Creek with thin bunker shots, incurring multiple penalty strokes. The result was a quadruple-bogey 7, a devastating blow that transformed the leaderboard. “I just didn’t think that was going to be my position from the tee box,” Talley reflected after the round. “It shows how hard that hole is and how much it has messed up other people as well.”
With Talley reeling, Marin seized her opportunity. Crossing Nelson Bridge en route to the par-5 13th, she coolly two-putted for birdie, extending her lead to five shots. The tournament, which had seemed destined for a tense finish, suddenly belonged to Marin. Yet, challenges remained. Andrea Revuelta, playing alongside Marin, mounted a late push, closing with a 68 to finish solo second at 10-under. Korea’s Soomin Oh delivered an impressive final-round charge to claim third at 9-under. A group tied for fourth at 8-under included Talley, world No. 1 amateur Kiara Romero, Yunseo Yang, Raegan Denton, and Meja Örtengren, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of the field.
Marin’s performance was not only a testament to her golfing prowess but also to her mental fortitude. After missing the 36-hole cut in last year’s ANWA, she returned more determined than ever. “It means the world to me,” Marin said, her smile broad as she walked up the 18th fairway, greeted by jubilant friends, family, and teammates—including fellow Arkansas Razorback Maria Fassi, who nearly won the inaugural Augusta title. “Having Maria there, she inspired me so, so much when she played with Jennifer Kupcho [in 2019], and I think I’ve said it a lot of times, but that was truly inspiring for me, and yeah, just to get it done in front of them, yeah, it’s great.”
Another key figure in Marin’s triumph was her caddie, Darren Woo. A 56-year-old firefighter and father of five from Columbia County, Woo’s journey to Augusta was as remarkable as Marin’s. The night before the final round, Woo worked a 14-hour shift at the Savannah River Site Fire Department, finishing at 7 a.m. before meeting Marin at her hotel. Despite the fatigue, Woo brought a calming presence to Marin’s game. “He’s been pretty good in keeping me calm the whole week [at ANWA]. I think it’s been a key into my great game,” Marin shared with Golf Week. The pair had met only two weeks prior at Champions Retreat, where Woo has been a looper for six years. Their instant chemistry proved invaluable in the cauldron of Augusta’s final round.
Woo’s lack of prior experience at Augusta National didn’t faze him. “I got some sleep last night,” he joked after the win, “My pillow and I got acquainted real nice.” Sitting on a bench next to the practice putting green, Woo clutched the 18th hole pin flag—a memento he planned to keep for himself, not bring to the fire department. “I have the next three days off,” he grinned, savoring the moment.
Marin’s victory is significant not just for the record books, but for what it represents in women’s golf. She becomes only the third player—after Jennifer Kupcho (2019) and Rose Zhang (2023)—to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur the year after claiming the NCAA Individual Title. Her win also grants her entry into three of the LPGA Tour’s majors this year, a tantalizing opportunity for a player who has already captured the Women’s Amateur Latin America crown.
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur itself continues to grow in prestige and popularity, drawing 48 of the world’s top 50 amateurs and showcasing future stars of the women’s game. The 2026 edition was no exception, with a leaderboard stacked with talent and drama that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
For Talley, the heartbreak of Augusta will sting, but her sportsmanship and resolve were evident in her post-round remarks. “I’m just a little emotional, not only because I didn’t get it done today, but also just everyone is so supportive,” she said. “It’s hard when they have to watch that and see you not do well or not accomplish what you wanted. I still played fine today even though that one hole just kind of got me. Other than that, it doesn’t define me as a golfer. I know what kind of player I am.”
As the sun set on Augusta National, Maria Jose Marin stood with the trophy in Butler Cabin, beaming with pride. “It’s so pretty,” she declared, holding the prize aloft. With her record-setting win, Marin not only cemented her place in amateur golf history but also signaled that she’s ready for the sport’s brightest stages. The women’s game has a new star—and the world will be watching her next move.