Fassi granted sponsor’s exemption to Walmart NWA Championship

FAYETTEVILLE —Arkansas junior Maria Fassi will be joining the field of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G as a sponsor’s exemption through the tournament’s Road to the #NWAChampionship partnership, it was announced today.

Fassi paced Arkansas to a record-setting season that included the program’s first Southeastern Conference and NCAA Regional titles.

The Pachuca, Mexico, native played to six individual titles and tied for the win at the SEC Championship. She earned SEC Golfer of the Year honors and was a first-team All-SEC and Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American this season.

The Road to the #NWAChampionship awards the top ranked University of Arkansas player a sponsor’s exemption into the event with additional players receiving an exemption into the Monday Qualifier based on stroke averages from the season.

This year Dylan Kim, Alana Uriell and Kaylee Benton will have the opportunity to join the tournament field through the Monday Qualifier.

This is Fassi’s second sponsor’s exemption to the event. She earned the spot as a true freshman in 2016 shooting 73-69=142.

Fassi carded a 68 in last year’s Monday qualifier finishing third overall. Benton also played in the Monday qualifier last season. Uriell was part of Monday’s qualifying round in 2016 and advanced to the weekend.

She earned the sponsor’s exemption for the Razorbacks last year.

Fassi will join fan favorites and former Razorbacks Stacy Lewis and Gaby Lopez in the field of 144 to compete in the 12th annual #NWAChampionship.

Official tournament play will begin on Friday, June 22 at Pinnacle Country Club.