AUGUSTA, Ga. – Facing the legendary challenge of Augusta National Golf Club, Vanderbilt junior Ava Merrill closed the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a 1-over-par 73 to come home tied for 17th at 3-under for weekend.
Merrill carded five birdies in her first competitive trip around Augusta National. She finished as the 7th-best American in the field featuring the world’s top amateurs.
“What a special weekend for Ava and Rudy,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen. “The Augusta National Women’s Amateur has quickly become the best women’s amateur tournament in the world, and I’m thrilled our two young ladies got to experience everything about it. Ava getting to play a competitive round at Augusta National today is something she will never forget.”
Merrill’s finish marked the best by a Commodore at the ANWA. Merrill and teammate Elizabeth Rudisill became just the third and fourth Vanderbilt players to be invited to the top event in women’s amateur golf, joining Auston Kim (2021, 2022) and Abbey Carlson (2021).
“I’m really proud of both Ava and Rudy,” Allen said. “They represented Vanderbilt University very well this week and it was really cool to hear a lot of people yelling ‘Anchor Down’ in the gallery. What a great experience and time to be part of Vanderbilt Athletics.”
Merrill and Rudisill will rejoin their Commodore teammates and turn their sights on the SEC Women’s Golf Championships beginning April 17 at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida.
