Her father's selfless act likely helped Maria Jose Marin win the biggest tournament of her life
After two poor previous final rounds in the ANWA, Maria Jose Marin's dad gave up her bag and she prevailed with a local firefigher as her caddie
AUGUSTA, Ga. — In preparation for her fourth Augusta National Women’s Amateur, Maria Jose Marin played a practice round at Champions Retreat with local caddie Darren Woo on the bag. They worked well together, and that’s when Marin’s father, Jose, had an important conversation with her.
Jose previoiusly had been Marin’s caddie for her three previous ANWA starts. She had disappointing final rounds of 76 and 78 in 2023 and 2024, then missed the cut in 2025. He told her she needed to use Woo, a 56-year-old firefighter and father of five boys who has a side gig as a caddie at Champions Retreat.
The decision proved to be a critical part of Marin’s transformation at Augusta National, where she shot a final-round 68 and set the tournament record of 14 under to win the ANWA. “With the relationship with my dad, as I've said, he's always been my role model. He's been by my side since I started playing golf,” Marin said.
“He was the one that taught me the love for this game. He decided this year that he can't be on the bag. He had the experience with me last year.