Malaysia's top women's amateur Natasha Andrea Oon will make her maiden Major appearance in The Chevron Championship (formerly the ANA Inspiration), which tees off next week at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

The San José State University senior received the invitation earlier this week and had to choose between playing in the season's first Major and making her debut in the prestigious Augusta National Women's Amateur, which takes place on the same dates. The 21-year-old chose the former given her ambition to progress to the professional ranks once she completes college.

Natasha has been in impressive recent form on the US collegiate circuit, picking up the Mountain West Women's Golfer of the Week accolade a few days ago following a second place finish at the MountainView Collegiate. She moved up to 17th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), which is not only her highest ranking but also the best ever by a Malaysian. 

Natasha's place in the Augusta National event has been given to compatriot Ashley Lau, ranked 30th in the WAGR.

This will be Natasha's third appearance in an LPGA event following the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia. She is one of five amateurs who were invited to compete in the Chevron Championship, along with South Korean Park Bohyun, Mexico's Isabella Fierro and Americans Brooke Seay and Gurleen Kaur.

The Chevron Championship field includes nine of the world’s top 10 players along with 29 Major winners competing for a purse of US$5 million. 15 places are still available from this week’s JTBC Classic where Malaysian ladies' number one Kelly Tan is among the contestants.

After a two-year Covid-inflicted hiatus, fans have been quick to claim their opportunity to be at The Chevron Championship once more with several ticketing categories already sold out.

As well as being able to enjoy watching the world’s best women players battle it out over the iconic Dinah Shore Tournament Course, there will be plenty of activities off course for spectators with a special family focus-themed fan oasis. 

For more information, log on to www.thechevronchampionship.com