In a stunning and historic performance, Adela Cernousek of Texas A&M secured her first collegiate win by clinching the NCAA Women’s Golf Individual Title.
CARLSBAD, Calif. — Adela Cernousek, a junior hailing from France, showcased her remarkable golfing skills at La Costa on Monday by winning the NCAA individual title with a comfortable three-shot lead. Coming into the final round with a six-shot advantage over Florida State’s Lottie Woad, who herself is the Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, Cernousek maintained her dominance by posting an even-par 72. This brought her total to an impressive 12-under 276, ensuring her victory and contributing to Texas A&M’s third-place team finish, just three shots shy of Stanford and LSU.
Lottie Woad put up a valiant effort with a round of 69, securing the runner-up position. Meanwhile, Paula Martin Sampedro from Stanford finished third with a 70, leading the Cardinal to a total score that matched LSU’s 2-over par finish. Southern California, Clemson, UCLA, Oregon, and Auburn also advanced to the match-play portion of the team competition, with the team champion set to be decided on Wednesday.
This victory marks a significant milestone as Cernousek becomes the first Texas A&M player to ever win the individual NCAA title. She started the tournament with three consecutive rounds of 68, which allowed her to establish a solid lead and propel her team to the top of the leaderboard. With this win, Cernousek has earned an exemption to the LPGA’s Dana Open scheduled for July 18-21. She also previously qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, making her already eligible for next week’s major.
On the other side of the competition, LSU’s Ingrid Lindblad, who is ranked No. 1 in the women’s amateur ranking, had a rough outing with a second-round 81, eventually tying for 65th place at 15 over. Auburn’s top player, former Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Anna Davis, rebounded from a tough third-round 80 by posting a 1-under 71, which helped Auburn secure the eighth and final spot in the match play, narrowly edging out Wake Forest by two shots.
Cernousek’s triumph has been noted as a significant moment, not just for Texas A&M but for her personal growth and development as a golfer. It’s a testament to her hard work and dedication throughout her college career, and this historic win will undoubtedly be a highlight in her golfing journey.
Adela Cernousek’s achievement at the NCAA Women’s Golf Championship is a landmark victory for Texas A&M and a remarkable individual milestone. With her dominant performance and perseverance, she has set a new standard in collegiate golf, inspiring future generations of golfers.
