Four Gamecocks Ready for Augusta National Women’s Amateur

COLUMBIA, S.C.  –  Four members of the No. 1 ranked University of South Carolina women’s golf team will represent the Garnet and Black this week at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, starting on March 31. 

The tournament begins at Champions Retreat for the opening two rounds on March 31 and April 1, with the final round set for Augusta National on April 3. The top 30 players after the second round make the cut for the final round, but all the participants get to play in a practice round at Augusta National on April 2. 

Augusta National Women’s Amateur Participants 

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (So.)

• Won her third tournament of the season, and fourth of her career, shooting a program record 15-under 201 at the Valspar August Invitational on March 13-14
• Named to the latest ANNIKA Award Watch List on March 12
• Selected as SEC Golfer of the Week on Feb. 17, and co-SEC Golfer of the Week on March 24
• Currently ranked No. 3 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Has 10 top-10 finishes so far as a Gamecock
• Earned WGCA and Golfweek First Team All-America honors as a freshman

Ana Pelaez (Sr.)

• Notched a new career best score with her 10-under 206 at the Valspar Augusta Invitational, tying for second and helping secure the team win 
• Finished sixth or better in all four tournament this spring, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in the final two regular season tournaments
• Named to the latest ANNIKA Award Watch List on March 12
• Rallied from a sluggish opening round at the Gamecock Intercollegiate to card a 1-under 71 in the second round and a 2-under 70 in the final round on her way to a sixth place finish
• Made her season debut at the Moon Golf Invitational, tying for third with an 8-under 208, tying her career low for a 54-hole tournament
• Notched three top-3 finishes in European competition before returning to Columbia for the final half of her senior season
• Currently ranked No. 13 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Earned All-America honors in 2020 and 2017

Paula Kirner (Fr.)

• •    Continued to show improvement, finishing with a 1-under 215 at the Valspar Augusta Invitational, her best score and finish (T17) as a Gamecock
• •    Named SEC Freshman of the Week on March 10
• •    Had her best tournament so far, shooting and opening round 70 and finishing with an even par 72 to earn a 20th place finish at the Gamecock Intercollegiate
• •    Played in all three tournaments for the Gamecocks in the fall
• •    Notched her then best round as a Gamecock with her 1-under 71 in the opening round at The Ally back in October

Pimnipa Panthong (Sr.)

• Recovered from a stumble in the opening round at the Moon Golf Invitational to go 1-under in the second round and even par in the final round, helping to earn the team win
• Finished third at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational to open the season
• Currently ranked No. 68 in the women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking
• Three-time All-American and Two-time MAC Player of the Year at Kent State

How to Follow the Action

We’ll have coverage of the entire weekend on GamecocksOnline.com as well as through our Instagram and Twitter social channels. NBC will broadcast from Saturday’s final round with coverage running from Noon-3 p.m. on NBC.