Photo by: Chas Dorman
Rao Shoots 70 (-2) To Sit T13 After First Round At Augusta National Women's Amateur
April 02, 2025 | Women's Golf
Scoring
Catherine Rao's debut round at the Augusta National Women's Amateur was a steady one as her opening-round 70 (-2) has her tied for 13th overall.
Rao carded four birdies to counter a pair of bogeys, settling in as part of a group featuring 10 total golfers tied in 13th position. Megha Ganne is the overall leader at -9 after shooting a tournament-record 63. Defending champion Lottie Woad is second at -7.
The top 30 and ties following Friday's second round will advance to the Final Round to be played at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5.
"I've always trusted my game and I've known I can play some really good golf," Rao said after her round. "It is really validating, I am proud to be a part of this field and compete against these women. It was a great challenge, and I had so much fun and enjoyed this experience."
Rao's start was perfect with a birdie on the first hole after rolling in a long-range putt. After a pair of pars, she gave a shot back with a bogey on 4 before getting back under par with a birdie on the par-3 sixth hole sliding in a left-to-right downhill putt.
Rao was under par the rest of the way, getting to -2 for the first time with a birdie on the 12th hole after nearly holing her pitch shot.
After a bogey on 13, she got back to two-under with a birdie on the next hole.
Down the stretch, Rao had looks at birdie on the final four holes but was unable to get those putts to drop -- including a near-miss on an 80-foot birdie putt on 15 and a close call on the par-3 17th hole.
Rao tees off for the second round at 8:35 a.m. on April 3, starting on the 10th hole.
Gallery: (4-2-2025) Augusta National Women's Amateur Day 1
Catherine Rao's debut round at the Augusta National Women's Amateur was a steady one as her opening-round 70 (-2) has her tied for 13th overall.
Rao carded four birdies to counter a pair of bogeys, settling in as part of a group featuring 10 total golfers tied in 13th position. Megha Ganne is the overall leader at -9 after shooting a tournament-record 63. Defending champion Lottie Woad is second at -7.
The top 30 and ties following Friday's second round will advance to the Final Round to be played at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5.
"I've always trusted my game and I've known I can play some really good golf," Rao said after her round. "It is really validating, I am proud to be a part of this field and compete against these women. It was a great challenge, and I had so much fun and enjoyed this experience."
Rao's start was perfect with a birdie on the first hole after rolling in a long-range putt. After a pair of pars, she gave a shot back with a bogey on 4 before getting back under par with a birdie on the par-3 sixth hole sliding in a left-to-right downhill putt.
Rao was under par the rest of the way, getting to -2 for the first time with a birdie on the 12th hole after nearly holing her pitch shot.
After a bogey on 13, she got back to two-under with a birdie on the next hole.
Down the stretch, Rao had looks at birdie on the final four holes but was unable to get those putts to drop -- including a near-miss on an 80-foot birdie putt on 15 and a close call on the par-3 17th hole.
Rao tees off for the second round at 8:35 a.m. on April 3, starting on the 10th hole.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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