Augusta, GA - After two thrilling rounds of golf at Champions Retreat Golf Club, the top 30 competitors and ties have advanced to the final stage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur (ANWA) at historic Augusta National Golf Club. Of the 32 players continuing to the final round, four are current AJGA juniors.
Leading the way is Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla, California, who returns to Augusta National seeking redemption after finishing runner-up in the event last year. Talley finished at 11-under-par 133 through two rounds to lead heading into Saturday's final. Talley had a stellar first two rounds, setting the tournament record for consecutive holes without a bogey at 36. Talley also became the first player in ANWA history to record four consecutive rounds in the 60s. Currently ranked No. 1 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, she is chasing her first ANWA title.
"I think just really having fun at Augusta. I haven't really been in contention the last couple of years, so I was just kind of going out there to play my best golf. I've played well there the past two years, so hopefully just doing the same thing."
Close behind is Amelie Zalsman of St. Petersburg, Florida, who made an outstanding ANWA debut. Zalsman finished T6 at 5-under-par 139 after the first two rounds at Champions Retreat. Zalsman produced a very clean scorecard with a bogey-free first round. Currently No. 4 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, the Wake Forest commit is looking to make a strong impression in her final round at Augusta National.
Aphrodite Deng of (Canada) Short Hills, New Jersey, also impressed in her ANWA debut. The 2025 Rolex Junior Player of the Year showed steady improvement across the two opening rounds. After shooting even-par 72 in the first round, Deng shot 3-under-par 69 in the second to make the cut at T19 with a score of 3-under-par 141. Deng is one of three Canadians in the field to make the cut in order to compete in the championship round.
Rounding out the four is Yujie Liu of China, who is also making her ANWA debut. Liu finished T24 at 2-under-par 142 after two rounds at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Liu surged up the leaderboard with seven birdies in her second round. The three-time Rolex Junior All-American will look to make another move up the leaderboard in the final round.
While three AJGA juniors in the field did not advance to the final round, the opportunity to play at Augusta National Golf Club is a win in its own right. All players participate in a practice round on Friday, April 3, and get to witness the legacy of the course first hand. The experience gained from participating in an event of this caliber alongside the world’s top amateurs is invaluable for any golfer.
"My first thought about Augusta National is all the history and the past winners and just what that golf course means to this game. It's just such a special honor."
Current AJGA juniors' standings at ANWA:
- T1 - Asterisk Talley 66-67—133 (-11)
- T6 - Amelie Zalsman 67-72—139 (-5)
- T19 - Aphrodite Deng 72-69—141 (-3)
- T24 - Yujie Liu 72-72—142 (-2)
- MC - Anna Fang 70-76—146 (+2)
- MC - Lily Reitter 78-72—150 (+6)
- MC - Nikki Oh 77-73—150 (+6)
Notably, 10 of the top 16 players heading into the final round are either current or former AJGA players. Follow along with the official leaderboard to track the final round action at Augusta National Golf Club.
For more information regarding the AJGA or AJGA players at the Augusta National Women's Amateur, please contact India Ricks (Iricks@ajga.org) or Hayden Hanslik (Hhanslik@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department.