Catherine Rao Named To ANNIKA Award Watch List For Second Year In A Row
August 25, 2025 | Women's Golf
Senior Catherine Rao has been once again named to the Watch List for the ANNIKA Award Presented by Siftel as announced this week by The Haskins Foundation.
The ANNIKA Award, which is presented annually to the top collegiate women's golfer in the country, was first presented in 2014 and annually honors the best of the best in women's college golf.
Rao is one of 25 players named to the Watch List ahead of the 2025-26 season, and returns for her second year among the early-season candidates after appearing for the first time last season.
The 2025 Ivy League Player of the Year, Rao was an honorable mention Golfweek Magazine All-American last season. She won two events, claiming the championships at the Nittany Lion Invitational and the Columbia Classic. In April, she competed for the first time at the Augusta National Women's Amateur in the process becoming the first Ivy League player to earn an invitation to ANWA.
This summer, Rao was T4 in stroke play at the U.S. Amateur and advanced to the Round of 32 in Match Play before being eliminated in extra holes. She has now reached Match Play in each of the last three U.S. Women's Amateur Events and has twice made deep runs in Match Play at the British Amateur in 2023 (quarterfinals) and 2024 (Round of 16). Her elite level of play around the world currently has her ranked No. 64 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
The ANNIKA Award, which is presented annually to the top collegiate women's golfer in the country, was first presented in 2014 and annually honors the best of the best in women's college golf.
Rao is one of 25 players named to the Watch List ahead of the 2025-26 season, and returns for her second year among the early-season candidates after appearing for the first time last season.
The 2025 Ivy League Player of the Year, Rao was an honorable mention Golfweek Magazine All-American last season. She won two events, claiming the championships at the Nittany Lion Invitational and the Columbia Classic. In April, she competed for the first time at the Augusta National Women's Amateur in the process becoming the first Ivy League player to earn an invitation to ANWA.
This summer, Rao was T4 in stroke play at the U.S. Amateur and advanced to the Round of 32 in Match Play before being eliminated in extra holes. She has now reached Match Play in each of the last three U.S. Women's Amateur Events and has twice made deep runs in Match Play at the British Amateur in 2023 (quarterfinals) and 2024 (Round of 16). Her elite level of play around the world currently has her ranked No. 64 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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