Kansas State senior Carla Bernat shot her third consecutive day of four under par for a final score of 12-under to take home the prestigious Augusta National Women’s Amateur title on Saturday.
“It feels amazing. I am over the moon,” Bernat said after the final round. “As of right now, I don’t think my brain has processed that I’ve won.”
On hole 18, leading by a stroke, Bernat hit her driver perfectly down the fairway. On her approach shot, she hit the ball to the back of the green and needed a two-putt to secure the victory at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club located in Augusta, Georgia.
Her first putt landed within five feet of the hole, and on her second shot, despite all the nerves, she rattled the golf ball to win the tournament. While the putt was routine for Bernat under most circumstances, it was not as easy as it may have looked with everything at stake.
“It’s hard to describe it in words; I was just so happy and relieved that I made that putt,” Bernat said. “I saw on the scoreboard there was one girl one shot behind me, so I knew I needed to make this.”
Bernat not only shot the lowest score ever recorded in the event, but she also became the first player to score in the 60s in all three days of the event.
A native of Castellón de la Plana, Spain, Bernat competed in amateur golf tournaments before coming to the United States for college. Bernat spent two years initially at Tulane before transferring for her last two years to K-State, following second-year head coach Stew Burke.
“Kansas State has taken me to my highest point of golf,” Bernat said. “We have played a pretty strong schedule. I have been competing so much I am at my highest point in golf right now.”
On the first day of the tournament, Bernat played a bogey-free round, making four birdies and keeping pace with the leaders at the time.
“It was awesome, I played well and hit the ball really solid,” Bernat said after the first round. “My speed was really good, too. I think I managed the important moments pretty well today.”
On Day 2 of the tournament, Bernat established herself in real contention, turning heads as a favorite to win the event. Bernat turned in her second round of 68, which moved her up three spots into a tie for third — just one shot back of the lead.
The first two rounds are held at Champions Retreat Golf Club in nearby Evans, Georgia. Those who make the cut are welcomed to the historic home of the Masters for the final round.
Her strong effort meant she made the cut for the second time. Last year, she finished 17th in the tournament, but with her great start this year, she had higher expectations.
At Augusta National, Bernat shot 3-under in the front nine, which moved her into first place with a one-shot lead entering the back nine.
The first hole on the back nine was a tricky one, as Bernat had to chip out of some pine straw and over a bunker onto the green. There, she ended up with a lengthy par-saving putt, which she sunk to keep her momentum rolling on the back nine.
“I knew the tournament was going to start on No. 10 because I watch all the Masters,” Bernat said. “So, as soon as I hit that second shot, I was like, ‘You need to get it together and get this par.’ That was the key.”
Bernat birdied both the 13th and 15th holes but bogeyed the 17th, which kept her at a one-stroke advantage heading to the last and final hole. On the 18th hole, she putted in for par and won the tournament.
She became the first Spaniard to win the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the first Wildcat as well.
“I felt like an underdog from the beginning of the tournament,” Bernat said. “I wasn’t looking at the people behind me, I was looking ahead at the leaders on top of the leaderboard.”
Bernat was ranked No. 29 in the Women’s Amateur Golf Rankings coming into the tournament and should receive a boost when the new rankings come out.
Back with the team in Manhattan, Bernat and the Wildcats will prepare for the Big 12 Championship, which is held April 15-17 at Houston Oaks Golf Club in Hockley, Texas.
