19-Year-Old Colombian Wins at Augusta National

When 10-year-old Emilio Marin walked Augusta National carrying a backpack nearly bigger than himself, he told anyone who'd listen that his sister's trophy would fit perfectly inside. The confident little brother was right.

Maria Jose Marin, a 19-year-old University of Arkansas golfer from Cali, Colombia, turned what looked like a tight race into a commanding four-stroke victory at the Augusta National Women's Amateur on Saturday. Her final round 68 pushed her to 14 under par, leaving the rest of the field in her wake.

The tournament started as a three-way battle between Marin, 17-year-old phenom Asterisk Talley, and Stanford's Meja Örtengren. But by the 14th hole, Marin had built a five-shot cushion that she never relinquished.

Her mentor Maria Fassi, who flew in Friday night on a whim, has always marveled at Marin's focus. "She's like a racehorse with blinders on," Fassi said, watching her former practice partner from Blessings Golf Club block out the pressure.

The victory drew an all-star supporting cast to the 18th green. Golf legend Annika Sorenstam pulled young Emilio from the ropes to watch his sister's triumph alongside their parents, coaches, teammates, and nearly two dozen friends from Colombia who'd shared a house all week.

PGA Tour winner Nico Echavarria, a fellow Colombian, followed the final nine holes. Last year's champion Carla Bernat Escuder came to cheer her on. Fassi, the inaugural ANWA runner-up seven years ago, stood beaming as her mentee accomplished what she couldn't.

Why This Inspires

Some golfers say they'd rather win at Augusta National than on the LPGA tour. Oregon head coach Derek Radley, who caddied for his wife on tour, called the ANWA "the biggest event, pro or amateur, ever."

Marin's victory carries extra meaning for Colombian golf, joining Echavarria in putting their country on the map at Augusta. The crowd's chants of "Vamos!" echoed across the course as she made crucial par saves on the back nine.

At the par-3 12th, Marin's tee shot somehow clung to the bank short of the green. "I've never seen a ball stay there," she said later. "I think it was just God holding the ball there."

She got up and down for par while her competitors stumbled, then cruised home to a victory she called indescribable. "I'm extremely proud of myself and all of the hard work and the ability that I had out there to overcome all the pressure," Marin said.

Emilio's backpack was ready and waiting.