Another Spaniard Conquers Augusta National
Carla Bernat Escuder becomes the first women's amateur winner from Spain and continues a tradition unlike any other in holding off 16-year-old Asterisk Talley.
The Augusta National Women’s Amateur doesn’t start until the 10th tee on Saturday. Or so believes its latest champion, even after taking the lead and never looking back following birdies at the eighth and ninth holes. While Carla Bernat Escuder may not know the exact origins of Dan Jenkins’ Masters admonition, she sure does good homework.
“I knew the tournament was going to start on No. 10 because I've watched all the Masters,” said the 21-year-old from Castellon. “As soon as I hit that second shot [on 10], I was like, oh, I need to get it together and just get this par, and I dig in, and I think that was the key.”
After posting a brilliant final round 68 fueled by six birdies—including on all four par-5’s—the annual women’s amateur continues to feel more like vintage Masters tournaments than…The Masters. Victory was only clinched after making a difficult par putt at the 18th.
Bernat Escudar built a lead after opening in 33 just prior to the key par save at 10. She then built a necessary cushion with birdies at 13 and 15. On the latter par 5 played at 475 yards for the ANWA, she selected 7-iron to play into the par 5 green. She went long but made birdie and it ended up proving a huge moment en route to her 204 total (-12). An eventual one-stroke win came over incredible 16-year-old American Asterisk Talley, who eagled the first and also posted a final round 68.
On a warm, humid, and just-breezy-enough day, the noticeably brighter Augusta National showed no ill effects from last September’s hurricane damage. Bernat Escuder only experienced bogey setbacks at the fourth and 17th holes.
By becoming the first Spaniard to win the fifth “ANWA,” she carries on the surreal connection between Augusta National and Spain. Soon after accepting the trophy from Chairman Fred Ridley, she regaled the assembled press with short but joyfully blunt answers about her play, her idiosyncrasies, the people who helped her develop, and her overall joy in winning one of golf’s most prestigious titles.
“I feel over the moon,” she said. “Right now I don't think my brain has processed that I won.”
The Kansas State senior opened last year’s ANWA with 78 at Champions Retreat before making the cut after the only sub-70 second round to advance. She finished T17 thanks to a 72 in her initial Augusta National round. A year older, she posted three 68’s to hold off a strong field headlined by multiple defending champions in good form and the best of women’s amateur golf. Once again, the women showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the scale and grandeur of Augusta National. Six players posted sub-70 rounds Saturday despite the added impact of swirling winds due to fewer trees since last year.
Bernat Escuder’s win surprised few who follow the amateur game. She’s been off to a terrific start for the Wildcats, recording eight top 10s with two wins. She’s also a two-time second-team All-American and recently represented the International team at the Arnold Palmer Cup.
The Spanish Augusta connection started in earnest with Seve Ballesteros, continued with José María Olazábal, and more recently has been maintained by Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm. It continued Saturday with four of the six ANWA Spaniards making the 36-hole cut. Bernet Escuder also enjoyed a final-round pairing with one of those players, Stanford’s ebullient Andrea Revuelta of Madrid.
“It was really nice playing with her,” said Bernet Escuder. “It made it feel like we were not in Augusta, either. It was like we were playing when we were 15 back in the day.”
Bernat Escuder is a former tennis aspirant-turned-golfer who was originally coached by Victor Garcia, 2017 Masters champion and Sergio Garcia’s father.
“I know Sergio more than José María,” she said. '“José María, it's just a good symbol for Spain of what golf means and how to act on the golf course. Sergio, I played with him once when I was back in Spain. We don't have a really close relationship, but his dad is my coach. I can now feel that I know him.”
Two-time champion Olazábal was there to congratulate the latest golfer to triumph at Augusta National.
“It means everything because he's such a symbol for Spain,” she said. “I was really nervous, because last year I saw him after playing and I called him the wrong last name. I said Larrazabal instead of Olazábal. He's like, that's not me. And I'm like, I'm sorry.”
Victor Garcia has the makings of a new star pupil based on the way Bernet Escuder attacks a golf course. With a compact, powerful swing and confident stride, she drove it 315 yards down the 15th and overcame hitting too much club with a handy up-and-down before what appeared to be the largest ANWA crowd yet.
After describing a productive effort by a club caddie to help learn key putts during Friday’s practice round, Bernat Escuder relied on Kansas State assistant coach Rinko Mitsunaga to keep her loose.
“She’s the real reason I won,” Bernat Escuder said. “She knows me better than anyone.”
Asked to elaborate, Bernat Escuder said that having the former Georgia golfer’s positivity offsets some of her neurotic tendencies.
“She's one of my best friends, too. I only have one word for her. She's all I needed today and this week. She made everything feel like I wasn't here. It was, like, easier, if that makes sense. I really appreciate her, and I'm so grateful she caddied for me for three rounds.”
Also on her side was last year’s U.S. Amateur champion, José Luis Balleste, who became the first player from Spain to lift the Havemeyer Trophy and who will make his Masters debut this week.
“I have pictures of us when we were 7 with no teeth, with tennis rackets,” she said.
He imparted sound short game advice that came in handy at the 10th hole Saturday.
“I actually thought about it on that shot. I was like, if there was one shot that you're going to need the hands back to hit it higher, as he tells me, it's this one. So yeah, I appreciate that tip.”
Asked how she plans to celebrate the win, Bernat Escuder went rogue (by Augusta National standards).
“I kind of want to stay here to watch the Masters, but I don't know if I will be able. And maybe a tattoo. We'll see.”
After the laughter died down, she made clear this was no joke.
“I was thinking maybe the flower of Augusta, but I need to decide on that. It's a big decision.”
For all of the compliments and curveballs dished out, Bernat Escuder earned the win with incredible play tee to green by hitting 35/42 fairways, 41 of 54 greens, and averaging 253.6 yards on her drives. And knowing how things work around here, she just laid the groundwork for more great Spanish golf among the pines.
The final scores and highlights:
Initial Course Observations
