Kiira Riihijarvi Accepts Invitation to 2021 Augusta National Women's Amateur
AUGUSTA, Ga. – University of Tampa senior Kiira Riihijarvi has accepted an invitation to play at the 2021 Augusta National Women's Amateur. Invitations were sent in the month of January and 85 players to date have been confirmed for the championship, which will take place March 31-April 3 in Augusta, Ga.
"On behalf of the membership at Augusta National, it is my distinct honor and privilege to welcome these talented competitors to the 2021 Augusta National Women's Amateur," said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. "While the wait for the return of this championship has been longer than expected, the excitement generated by the sportsmanship and competitive spirit showcased in the inaugural edition still resonates with us today. We look forward to hosting this elite field this spring and showcasing the future of the women's game."
Riihijarvi, a senior from Oulu, Finland, is the most decorated women's golfer in UT history. A four-time All-American, Riihijarvi was most recently honored as the 2019-20 WGCA National Golfer of the Year. Also a recipient of the 2019-20 Juli Inkster Senior Award, she also received 2018=19 Sunshine State Conference Golfer of the Year honors.
A three-time NCAA Division II tournament qualifier, Riihijarvi won the 2017 NCAA South Super Regional as a true freshman. She has twice finished in the top-10 at the NCAA Division II National Championships, placing ninth in 2017 and seventh in 2018.
In 98 career rounds, Riihijarvi has a career scoring average of 73.65. She has won a total of 10 individual championships as a Spartan, including four in each of the previous two seasons.
Beginning the week prior to the 85th Masters Tournament, the international field will compete across 54 holes of stroke play, with a cut to 30 players taking place after 36 holes. The first two rounds will take place on the Island and Bluff nines at Champions Retreat Golf Club on Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1. The entire field will then play Augusta National for an official practice round Friday, April 2. The final round will take place at Augusta National on Saturday, April 3 and will feature the competitors who made the cut.
Jennifer Kupcho, who now competes on the LPGA Tour, was the champion of the inaugural championship in 2019. The 2020 Augusta National Women's Amateur was cancelled due to the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
NBC Sports will produce and broadcast three hours (Noon – 3:00 PM ET) of live final-round coverage of the event at Augusta National. Golf Channel will deliver on-site highlights, live reports and news coverage throughout the event. Additionally, Golf Channel's "Live From the Masters" will commence on Friday, April 2 at Augusta National to provide coverage of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals and the Masters Tournament.
Tickets to the Augusta National Women's Amateur are sold out following an online ticket application process. No tickets will be available at the gates. For more information, please visit ANWAgolf.com and follow the event's official social media channels (@ANWAgolf) across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Click here for the official home page for the Augusta National Women's Amateur