With her third-straight round of 4-under par 68 on Saturday, Kansas State senior women’s golfer Carla Bernat held off the best amateurs in the world to take home the title at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a 54-hole score of 12-under par 204 at the historic Augusta National Golf Club.
Capturing the championship of one of the world’s most prestigious amateur events, Bernat held a one-shot lead heading to the 18th tee box. After a drive that found the fairway, the Castellon, Spain, product hit an approach shot that landed on the back of the green, needing two putts for the title. Her first putt got to within five feet of the hole before her second putt found the bottom of the cup for the victory.
Bernat’s winning score of 12-under par was the lowest in the history of the event. Additionally, she became the first player ever to shoot in the 60s in all three rounds of the championship.
“It feels amazing. I am over the moon,” Bernat told Augusta National Golf Club Chairman Fred Ridley in an interview on NBC. “As of right now, I don’t think my brain has processed that I’ve won.”
After a birdie on the par-5 2nd hole, Bernat bogeyed No. 4, but she quickly came back with another birdie on the par-4 5th in addition to birdies on Nos. 8 and 9. With a one-shot lead entering the final nine holes, Bernat’s approach shot into the 10th green went right of the hole and into the pine straw. However, Bernat was able to chip over a bunker and onto the green before a long par-saving putt kickstarted her back 9.
“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, ‘Oh, you need to get it together and just get this par.’ That was the key.”
From there, Bernat birdied a pair of par-5s – Nos. 13 and 15 – and bogeyed No. 17 before her winning par on the 54th and final hole of the championship.
Bernat stayed one shot clear of 16-year old Asterisk Talley – who also went 4-under par on the day – while she finished three shots ahead of Florida State’s Lottie Woad, who was the defending champion.
This was Bernat’s third start at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. After missing the cut in 2022, Bernat returned last year and finished in a tie for 17th place at 3-over par 219.
Bernat and the Wildcats will now turn their attention to preparation for the 2025 Big 12 Championship, which will be held April 15-17, at Houston Oaks Golf Club in Hockley, Texas.
