Canada will have another golfer to cheer for at Augusta National in 2020.
Brigitte Thibault of Rosemere, Que. revealed on Instagram Saturday that she has been invited to participate in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur for the second year in a row.
During the inaugural event in 2019 she was the lone Canadian representative, and she’ll be back as the only golfer flying the red-and-white at the celebrated amateur event.
“Going back there feels like a forever DREAM,” Thibault wrote on Instagram. “My (heart) is filled with gratitude to be the only Canadian in the field representing our beautiful country for a second time.”
The experience
The first two rounds of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur are played at Champions Retreat Golf Club before a cut is made from 72 golfers to just 30. Although Thibault missed the cut a year ago, she still got a chance to play a practice round at Augusta National – all participants were able to do that prior to the final round.
Jennifer Kupcho won the inaugural event with a 10-under-par score. Maria Fossi was runner-up, four shots back.
Although Thibault didn’t make it to the final round at Augusta National, she used the opportunity as a massive jumping off point for the last 12 months.
Thibault, who is entering her third year on the Fresno State University’s golf team, would go on to win the NCAA Mountain West Conference Championship and captured the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship.
“What an extraordinary honour for Brigitte to be invited once again to the ANWA,” Fresno State women’s golf head coach Emily Loftin said. “I’m so proud and thrilled for her. Brigitte once again has the opportunity to represent the Red Wave and her home country at this pinnacle event in women’s amateur golf.”
Building on her success
A member of Golf Canada’s national team, Thibault was also part of Canada’s bronze-medal winning team at the Pan-American Games in Lima, Peru.
Thibault is Canada’s top-ranked amateur golfer, and in just 23 collegiate tournaments Thibault has 18 top-25 finishes.
The Golf Journalists Association of Canada named Thibault Canada’s top female amateur golfer of 2019.
“I am beyond words to describe my appreciation for this journey of life and dream I am on,” Thibault continued in her Instagram post, reflecting on the year-that-was. “I will always be chasing my dreams and my better self.”
The 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur takes place April 1-4. The winner will receive an exemption into the CP Women’s Open in September.
Three Canadians (so far) are confirmed to participate in the Masters this year: Corey Conners, Adam Hadwin, and of course, 2003 winner Mike Weir.