Each year, Augusta National hosts juniors who qualify for the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals, a unique tournament that differs from any other these young
athletes typically compete in. Each junior gets the chance to hit two drives, two chips and two putts at the most iconic golf course in the world in front of a live television audience. This pressure was no match for Lily Wachter, winner of the 10-11 age division in 2024, who made back to back trips to Augusta National in 2023 and 2024.
Very few people in the world can say they've hit a golf shot at Augusta National, let alone stand on the 18th green with a trophy in hand and a crowd watching. After qualifying for Nationals in 2023, Lily felt a mix of nerves and excitement, fully soaking in the experience of being at Augusta. “Driving down Magnolia Lane for the first time was really amazing. The beauty of the trees and well-kept grass was really beautiful,” Wachter shared about making one of golf's most iconic drives. Though her performance wasn't her best, it fueled her determination to work harder and earn another shot at the Finals.
One year later, Wachter found herself back at Augusta National, only this time, the nerves that came with being at Augusta National were no longer there. Preparation for the 2024 Finals was much of the same, with priority being on those certain lengths of putts. “This is different from a normal tournament. Instead of trying to make putts, finishing as close to the hole as possible is very important,” Wachter said. “My second time around I was able to control my nerves better than the first.” Taking an early lead, Wachter was able to hit her second drive a whopping 232 yards, the longest in the Girls 10-11 division by 15 yards. Moving onto the chipping, more dominance continued by being yet again the top finisher, hitting her two chips a combined total of 9 '7'’ from the hole.
“I was watching the leaderboard that tells you how close you need to hit your putts to win, and for some reason looking at Lily’s, it said nothing,” Kevin Wachter, Lily’s dad said. Confused as to why there was no number there, Mr. Wachter asked a nearby official while Lily was getting ready to putt. The answer to his confusion was that Lily had won without even needing to hit any putts. Tearing up on the sidelines, Mr. Wachter awaited his daughter as not only her caddie for the event, but a proud father. They embraced with high fives and hugs as Lily became a champion at Augusta National.
Outside of the competition at Augusta, her favorite player that she was able to meet was not a tour player there preparing for the Masters, but none other than Florida State’s Lottie Woad who had just finished winning the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Seeing her there has turned one of her goals for the future into being able to compete alongside the world’s best women amateur golfers in the ANWA.
With the Drive Chip and Putt Finals rapidly approaching, eight Floridians will be competing on April 6th. These eight players consist of Joey Wolf, Bella Simoes, Lucia Romero, Porter Dover, Tobias Gordic-Ronderos, Jesus Bethencourt & Alexandra Phung. Make sure to tune in on Golf Channel!
