Olivia Mehaffey skips Augusta return to accept ANA Inspiration invite
Olivia Mehaffey
Olivia Mehaffey has accepted an invitation to play in the LPGA Tour’s ANA Inspiration which means she will not be making her second appearance in the clashing Augusta National Women’s Amateur in April.
The Banbridge star (22) will make her fourth appearance in a women’s Major as one of five amateur invitees for the 2020 Championship which will see Rolex Rankings No. 1, Jin Young Ko defend her title at Mission Hills Country Club in California from April 2 - 5.
Mehaffey accepted an invitation to return to Augusta National from April 1-4 but having played in the event last year, finishing 23rd, she has decided instead to take the opportunity to gain more experience against the professionals as part of her preparations for an appearance at the LPGA Tour Q-School at the end of the year.
Olivia Mehaffey of Northern Ireland plays a shot from the No. 17 tee during Round 2 of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, Thursday, April 4, 2019.
“I believe this is the right decision at this time in my career,” said Mehaffey, who will graduate from Arizona State in May. “I am excited to play with the best in the world and I am grateful for this opportunity.
“I had a great experience at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last year and it is one of the highlights of my career this far. It is a special week and although I won’t be there, I look forward to following along.”
The ANA Inspiration is one of five women’s Majors and Mehaffey, a three-time All-American Senior at Arizona State University, is keen to gain more experience amongst the professionals.
She represented Great Britain & Ireland in the battle for the 2019 Astor Trophy and helped lead the 2016 Great Britain & Ireland team to the Curtis Cup victory at Dun Laoghaire having won the Irish and the Welsh Stroke Play titles that season.
She played the Ricoh Women's British Open in 2016 and 2017 and the US Women’s Open in 2018 but has yet to make a cut amongst the professionals
“This is one of our favourite traditions at ANA Inspiration,” said Shigeru Hattori, ANA Senior Vice President of the Americas.
“The tradition is crucial to growing the sport and fostering the dreams of young female golfers around the world. We’re proud to help each amateur invitee’s dream take flight as they play with the ladies of the LPGA Tour this April. “
Rose Zhang, Kaitlyn Papp, Gabriela Ruffles and Angelina Ye have also accepted invitations to play at the ANA Inspiration.
Former invitees includes the likes of Leona Maguire, Michelle Wie, Georgia Hall, Lydia Ko, Angel Yin, Minjee Lee, Brooke Henderson Su Oh and Nelly Korda.
