Amari Avery made history on Sunday at the 2026 IOA Championship, becoming the first Black golfer to win on the Epson Tour in the developmental circuit’s 46-year history. The 22-year-old finished at 11 under par in Beaumont, California, edging out Carla Bernat Escuder — winner of the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur — by a single stroke to claim her first professional title.
It was a long time coming for the former USC standout. Last year at the same event, Avery missed the cut. This time around, she came back sharper, more confident, and with an entire hometown crowd behind her.
Avery’s Home Comforts Played a Key Role in Her Historic IOA Championship Win
One of the quieter stories behind this win is how Avery got through each round. Rather than staying at a hotel like most of the field, she drove home to her family’s house every night during the tournament. That simple comfort, many would argue, made all the difference.
“Honestly, it’s really cool,” Avery said after lifting the trophy for the first time. “Last year I missed the cut and I felt like I probably should have played better. I’ve played here a bunch of times. And now I had so much support this year. My whole family came out, a bunch of friends and people that I haven’t seen in years. So it kind of felt like this was, this was my time. And I just felt like it was nice that I had a bunch of people out with me.”
That kind of emotional grounding is hard to put a number on in golf. However, the results speak for themselves — 11 under par and a one-shot victory over one of the most decorated amateur players in the recent women’s game.
First Black Winner in Epson Tour History: What Avery’s Victory Means for Women’s Golf
Beyond the scorecard, Avery’s win carries significant weight for the sport. The Epson Tour, which serves as the official developmental tour of the LPGA, has been running for 46 years. In all that time, no Black golfer had ever won an event — until now.
Avery changes that. Her name is now permanently written into the record books as a trailblazer, not just a champion. For young Black girls watching women’s golf, that representation matters enormously. Representation at the professional level has the power to shift what people believe is possible for themselves.
Furthermore, Avery’s win comes at a time when the women’s game is growing rapidly in visibility and prize money. To break a barrier of this magnitude during such a pivotal era for the sport makes it all the more meaningful.
Beating Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion Carla Bernat Escuder Made the Win Even Sweeter
Finishing one shot clear of Carla Bernat Escuder is no small feat. Escuder won the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, one of the most prestigious amateur titles in women’s golf. That she came second at the IOA Championship tells you the quality of the field Avery was up against.
Avery did not simply benefit from a weak draw. She had to hold her nerve in the final stretch against a proven competitor who knows how to perform on big stages. The fact that she did it in her own backyard, with family watching, adds another layer to what was already a remarkable performance.
Notably, both players represent the next wave of talent entering professional women’s golf. Their close finish suggests this likely won’t be the last time their names appear near the top of a leaderboard together.
Avery’s Packed Schedule After IOA Win Shows the Relentless Drive Behind Her Success
What happened in the hours and days after the win is just as telling as the win itself. Less than 24 hours after hoisting her first professional trophy, Avery was already on the tee at the Arizona Country Club in Phoenix, competing in a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier. The field had 78 golfers, with only the top two finishers earning a spot in the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera Country Club in June.
That kind of turnaround would test even the most seasoned professionals. Still, Avery showed up and competed, which says a great deal about her work ethic and hunger for the game.
Additionally, she is scheduled to play the Epson Tour’s Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic at TPC Scottsdale’s Champions Course starting Thursday. If she makes the cut there, she will have played nine rounds of competitive golf in just 11 days. For a young player fresh off her first professional win, that schedule is nothing short of extraordinary.
From USC Standout to Epson Tour Champion: The Rise of Amari Avery
Avery’s college career at the University of Southern California set a strong foundation for what has followed. She was regarded as one of the top amateur players in the country during her time with the Trojans, and her game was always built for the professional stage.
The transition from college golf to the pro circuit is notoriously difficult, and many talented players take years to find their footing. Avery has clearly done the hard work behind the scenes, and her victory at the IOA Championship is the payoff for that grinding process.
Going forward, all eyes will be on how she handles the momentum. With a packed schedule ahead and a U.S. Women’s Open qualifier already under her belt post-win, Avery is showing that she is not just celebrating — she is pushing forward. That mindset is exactly what separates good players from great ones.
