As the clock approached 7:50 a.m., Achiraya Sriwong arrived at No. 1 tee box at Augusta National Golf Club.
Positioned to her left stood the Augusta National Women’s Amateur trophy. Behind her sat a row of chairs, where six women donning green jackets were among the crowd.
“I was so excited,” said Sriwong, a 16-year-old from Thailand.
Those on hand were Augusta National members Annika Sörenstam, Condoleezza Rice, Mary Barra (CEO of General Motors), Ginni Rometty (IBM CEO), Diana Murphy (former USGA president) and Heidi Ueberroth (Pebble Beach Company).
The members remained at No. 1 until the final group teed off at 10:20 a.m.
“What an incredible experience,” said 48-time LPGA Tour winner Nancy Lopez, who — although not an ANGC member — was among those seated in front. “I call Augusta National, ‘The Magical Place,’ and it’s so incredible to watch these players compete.”
For Lopez, Saturday was a morning of reminiscing.
“As they hit on No. 1, I thought, ‘I remember when I could hit like that,’” Lopez said. “I’m so impressed with their composure.”
Also in the 7:50 a.m. pairing was Caitlyn Macnab, who teed off after Sriwong.
“It was a fantastic feeling,” said Macnab, a senior at Ole Miss. “Being first off was awesome. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hit the first shot, but I did make the first birdie of the day.”
Macnab and Sriwong carded 75 and 72, respectively.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Nancy Lopez leads celebrities watching Augusta National Women's Amateur opening tee shots
