Women’s Golf’s Back-to-Back SEC Title Hopes Stay Alive After Epic Monday Victories

BELLEAIR, Fla. – The No. 16 Texas A&M women’s golf defeated Arkansas (3-1-1) and Georgia (3-2) on Monday to set up a rematch of last year’s SEC title match against Mississippi State. The Aggies and Bulldogs will face off at 9 a.m. on Tuesday for the 2024 SEC crown at the Pelican Golf Club.

“We got the last tee time,” head coach Gerrod Chadwell said. “Every time we have gotten to match play, we want to get another tee time. Our experience has impacted everything to this point. Getting to the championship is so hard and winning any match is incredibly difficult. We are prepared for a fight and our girls know what to expect come tomorrow.”

Quarterfinal Match Recap

The Aggies jumped out quick on the Razorbacks, securing a lead in three matches at the turn. Adela Cernousek would log a dominant performance against star freshman Maria José Marin of Arkansas. The junior took down the No. 15 amateur in the world, 5&4. Cernousek shot the equivalent of a 31 through the first nine holes. The Aggie needed to tie the 14th hole to end the match, but José Marin made a beautiful approach to five feet from the pin. Cernousek responded with an even better approach that struck the pin and fell inside of José Marin’s shot. The freshman conceded the hole to Cernousek to secure the point.

Blanca Fernández García-Poggio was the next victory of the match for the Maroon & White. The fifth-year senior won three of the first four holes on the final nine to earn a four-hole lead on Kendall Todd with six holes remaining. The Spaniard carried the advantage through the next two holes and won the match, 4&3.

Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio was up three thru 13, but Arkansas’s Kajal Mistry won three-consecutive holes to even the match with two chances left. The Aggie freshman and her opponent were both off the green on No. 8, but Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio made a brilliant up and down to save par and win the hole. The two halved No. 9 and the Maroon & White advanced to the semifinals for the second-straight year, 3-1.

Jennie Park was down one hole when Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio clinched the match and Zoe Slaughter fell, 5&4.

Semifinal Match Recap

The Aggies turned right around from the quarterfinal victory to play Georgia in the semis. First point on the board came from Blanca Fernández García-Poggio who dominated her match, 6UP. The Aggie won five of the matches’ final six holes to earn the quick and dominant point.

Cernousek never trailed in her match and earned the second point 2&1 atop the elevated green at No. 17. After a late substitution, Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio took on freshman Savannah De Bock. The Aggie freshman controlled most of the match, but De Bock knocked down numerous 20+ foot birdie putts, including a match extender on No. 16. Ultimately, Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio would once again clinch the victory for A&M, winning 1UP on No. 18.

Slaughter and Park took their matches to the brink but fell 2&1 and 1UP, respectively.

The Aggies will play Mississippi State at 9 a.m. with the match being televised on SEC Network. Live stats can be found at golfstat.com.

Quarterfinal Results

Miriam Ayora def. Zoe Slaughter – 5&4

Blanca Fernández García-Poggio def. Kendall Todd – 4&3

Adela Cernousek def. Maria José Marin – 5&4

Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio def. Kajal Mistry – 1UP

Jennie Park vs. Reagan Zibilski – Unfinished

Semifinal Results

Natachanok Tunwannarux def. Zoe Slaughter – 2&1

Blanca Fernández García-Poggio def LoraLie Cowart – 6UP

Adela Cernousek def. Caterina Don – 2&1