Maria Jose Marin Bio: Colombian Golf Prodigy’s Age, Height, NCAA Triumph, 2026 ANWA Win & Rising Career

María José Marín stands as one of the brightest young talents in women’s amateur golf. The 19-year-old Colombian has captured global attention with her fearless play, record-breaking college performances, and historic wins that continue to inspire a new generation of Latin American athletes. From dominating junior events in South America to claiming the 2025 NCAA Individual Championship and the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur title, Marin proves that talent, hard work, and family support can elevate a golfer to the world stage.

Her story blends early promise on the fairways of Cali with collegiate excellence at the University of Arkansas. As of April 2026, she ranks No. 7 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and leads the Scoreboard by Clippd collegiate rankings. Fans worldwide follow her journey as she balances accounting studies with elite competition.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Childhood

María José Marín grew up in Cali, Colombia, where golf ran deep in her family. Her father, Jose Marin, competed as a decorated amateur, and her mother, Lorena Negrete, played at club level. They met at a tournament, and by age two or three María José already swung clubs. Golf became a family passion rather than an elite pursuit. She embraced the sport with joy and competed internationally by age eight. These early years built her competitive edge and love for the game.

School Years

Marin attended the renowned Gimnasio La Khumbre in Cali. She balanced academics with intense training while winning local and national junior titles. Her high school years featured 11 World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) victories in 2022 alone, including the South American Girls Championship. These successes highlighted her talent and opened doors to U.S. college golf.

University & Training

In 2023 Marin enrolled at the University of Arkansas to study accounting. The Razorbacks’ strong program matched her ambition perfectly. She quickly adapted to American collegiate golf while maintaining her Colombian roots and representing her country in international events. Her training now combines college team sessions with personal focus on course management and putting.

Career Journey

María José Marín’s path showcases steady growth from South American junior star to global amateur standout. She turned heads early with consistent wins and major championship appearances.

Early Amateur Success (2018–2022)

Marin began collecting titles in 2018 with events like the Torneo Aficionado Shalom. By 2022 she exploded with 11 WAGR wins, including back-to-back South American Girls Championships and the Colombian Women’s Amateur. She reached the semifinals of the 2022 U.S. Girls’ Junior and earned her first Augusta National Women’s Amateur invitation.

College Beginnings at Arkansas (2023–2024)

As a freshman in 2023–24, Marin set program records. She won the Blessings Collegiate Invitational and posted a scoring average of 70.83. She earned SEC Freshman of the Year, WGCA First Team All-American honors, and tied for fourth at the 2024 NCAA Championship. She made her LPGA debut at the 2024 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, finishing T17.

2025 Breakthrough: NCAA Champion

In her sophomore year Marin dominated. She won three college events, including the 2025 NCAA Individual Championship with a 12-under 276 score. This victory joined her with legends Stacy Lewis and Maria Fassi as Razorback individual national champions. She also defended the South American Women’s Amateur title and won the Women’s Amateur Latin America.

2026 Season: ANWA Victory and Continued Dominance

Marin entered 2026 as the No. 7 amateur in the world. She co-led the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur after a bogey-free opening 65 and ultimately captured the title—her fourth ANWA appearance and first victory there. She also secured co-medalist honors at the Clemson Invitational in March 2026 and continued strong showings in SEC play. These 2026 results solidify her status as a future LPGA star while she remains focused on her junior season at Arkansas.

Career Highlights Table (Selected Amateur & Collegiate Wins)

• 2025: NCAA Individual Championship, South American Women’s Amateur, Women’s Amateur Latin America, Purdue Puerto Rico Classic
• 2024: South American Women’s Amateur, Blessings Collegiate Invitational, Colombian Women’s Amateur
• 2023: Mexican Women’s Amateur, Blessings Collegiate Invitational
• 2022: 11 WAGR events including South American Girls Championship and Colombian Women’s Amateur
• Earlier: Multiple junior titles in Colombia and international events (2018–2021)

She has represented Colombia in the Espirito Santo Trophy, World Junior Championships (gold 2022), and the International Team at the Arnold Palmer Cup (2024 and 2025 winners).

Net Worth & Earnings

As of 2026, María José Marín’s net worth remains not publicly disclosed. As a full-time amateur college athlete she earns primarily through scholarships, modest amateur prizes, and team support rather than big endorsement deals. Her income streams include university athletic scholarships at Arkansas and appearance opportunities tied to her rising profile.

Future earnings look promising. Her 2025 NCAA win and 2026 ANWA victory position her for strong LPGA pathways, including the LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway. Potential brand deals with golf equipment companies (she is associated with Nike and Titleist gear) and sponsorships could grow significantly once she turns professional. No major real estate or investment details are public, and charitable giving ties mainly to youth golf initiatives in Colombia.

Personal Life

Family Background

Marin credits her parents, Lorena Negrete and Jose Marin, for nurturing her talent. Her father’s amateur success provided early guidance, while her mother offered steady support. Younger brother Emilio shares family golf outings and keeps her grounded.

Relationships & Dating History

No public relationships or dating history exist. At 19, Marin focuses entirely on golf, studies, and family.

Marriage & Spouse / Children

Marin is single with no spouse or children.

Hobbies, Interests & Lifestyle

Outside golf Marin enjoys ballet and swimming. She values friendship, loyalty, and daily improvement. Her lifestyle revolves around training, academics, and occasional trips home to Colombia. She maintains a positive, enthusiastic approach that fans admire.

Awards & Achievements

Achievements appear in reverse chronological order:

• 2026: ANNIKA Award Spring Watch List; Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion
• 2025: SEC Player of the Year; WGCA First Team All-American; Golfweek First Team All-American; NCAA Individual Champion; ANNIKA Award Finalist; South American Women’s Amateur Champion; Women’s Amateur Latin America Champion; Bolivarian Games individual & mixed team gold
• 2024: SEC Freshman of the Year; WGCA First Team All-American; WGCA All-Freshman Team; Golfweek Second Team All-American; Arnold Palmer Cup (International Team)
• 2023–2022: Multiple international golds (Central American & Caribbean Games, South American Games, World Junior Championships); First Latin American to make ANWA cut

She also earned multiple SEC Golfer of the Week honors and holds Arkansas program records in par-4 scoring and freshman scoring average.

Physical Statistics

María José Marín stands at 5 ft 0 in (152 cm). Her compact, athletic frame delivers impressive power and precision. She relies on exceptional short game and mental toughness rather than raw size. No public weight or body measurement details exist, but her fitness routine includes golf-specific training, ballet for balance, and swimming for endurance.

Interesting Facts

• Marin picked up her first golf club at age two and competed internationally by age eight.
• In 2022 alone she won 11 WAGR events—a remarkable junior season.
• She became the first South American to reach the final round of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2023.
• Her father is a decorated amateur golfer who inspired her early career.
• She studies accounting at Arkansas while maintaining elite golf performance.
• Marin has represented Colombia in major international team events since her early teens.
• She set multiple scoring records during her freshman year at Arkansas.
• Her 2025 NCAA victory marked the third individual national title for the Razorbacks women’s program.
• She defended the South American Women’s Amateur title successfully in 2025.
• As of April 2026 she ranks inside the top 10 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Did You Know?

• Did you know Maria Jose Marin won the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur in her fourth appearance?
• Did you know she started golf at age two thanks to her golf-loving parents?
• Did you know Marin earned SEC Player of the Year honors in 2025 after claiming the NCAA title?
• Did you know she balances a full college course load in accounting with top-ranked amateur golf?

Social Media

• Instagram: @majomarinn – Official account with 8.9K+ followers sharing tournament updates, training, and personal moments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How old is Maria Jose Marin?
Maria Jose Marin was born on July 17, 2006, making her 19 years 8 months old years old as of 2026.

Q2: What is Maria Jose Marin’s height?
She stands at 5 ft 0 in (152 cm).

Q3: Did Maria Jose Marin win the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur?
Yes, she captured the 2026 title after strong performances throughout the event.

Q4: Where does Maria Jose Marin go to college?
She attends the University of Arkansas and studies accounting while competing for the Razorbacks.

Q5: What is Maria Jose Marin’s net worth in 2026?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed, as she remains a dedicated amateur college athlete.

CONCLUSION

María José Marín’s journey from Cali fairways to 2026 ANWA champion highlights dedication and talent. Her 2025 NCAA win and continued 2026 dominance show she leads the next wave of women’s golf. Fans eagerly watch her next steps as she finishes her junior year and eyes a professional future. Her story reminds everyone that passion and perseverance create lasting impact.

Share this article with fellow golf fans and follow Marin’s journey on Instagram for the latest updates.