Photo by Tri Nguyen
STANFORD, Calif. – Freshmen golfers Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela have been extended amateur invitations to play in the ANA Inspiration, March 30 through April 2 at Rancho Mirage Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, the tournament announced Wednesday.
The event is the first LPGA Tour major championship of 2017.
Both Lee and Valenzuela competed last year. Lee missed the cut after shooting rounds of 76-74, while Valenzuela tied for 65th and shared low amateur honors by posting scores of 73-73-71-76.
Lee, a product of Hermosa Beach, California, is currently the top-ranked women's collegiate player in the country and has won three individual titles this season. She captured the 2016 Junior ANA Inspiration to secure a spot in last year's field, and is ranked ninth in the Official World Amateur Golf Rankings.
Valenzuela, a native of Vesenaz, Switzerland, is ranked fourth in the Official World Amateur Rankings and fifth in Europe. She played in the Rio Olympics last summer, tying for 21st, and has recorded three consecutive top 10 finishes for the No. 1-ranked Cardinal.
The tournament will be televised on Golf Channel.