Mehaffey ‘Lucky’ To Have Another ANWA Shot

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | Olivia Mehaffey is not supposed to be here. In her ideal virus-free world, the 23-year-old from Banbridge, Northern Ireland, would be competing in the LPGA’s first major championship of the season this weekend as a professional rookie. It was all mapped out before COVID-19 happened.

Instead, Mehaffey finds herself in the thick of contention to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur on Saturday, sitting just one shot behind co-leaders Rose Zhang of California and Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden with the chance of a lifetime riding on 18 holes at the home of the Masters.

“I didn't think I'd have this opportunity again, so I feel very lucky,” Mehaffey said Thursday after shooting the lowest round of the week at Champions Retreat to put herself in the penultimate pairing for Saturday’s final round. “Obviously, I turned the exemption down (last year), and to get back here, it's amazing.”

Mahaffey competed in the inaugural event in 2019, reaching the final round at Augusta National and leaving with a tie for 23rd. Sh...