Freshman Austin Ernst fired a final-round 72 to claim the individual title and lead the No. 4 LSU women’s golf team to a second-place finish Tuesday at the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla.
Ernst entered Tuesday’s third and final round three shots back of TCU’s Brooke Beeler following a 36-hole score of 3-under par on Monday.
After 11 consecutive pars to open the third round, Ernst carded back-to-back birdies on holes 12 and 13 and headed into the 18th hole with a three-shot advantage.
“[Austin] was playing really steady golf all day, and early in the round she was knocking it stiff but couldn’t make a putt,” said LSU coach Karen Bahnsen. “She just had to stay patient and then finally broke through with some big birdies.”
Ernst’s only misstep was a double bogey on the par-4 18th, but her even-par round of 72 was enough to hold off the faltering Beeler by one stroke.
“She got into a really sandy lie on the 18th, and it was a tough shot to pull off, but she pulled [the win] out anyway.”
Bahnsen said of Ernst. “We’re proud of her and thrilled with her performance these past few days.”
The Lady Tigers came into the final round with a slim lead against Texas A&M and TCU, but it was Iowa State, with four Lady Cyclones finishing in the top 13 individually, who overtook the Lady Tigers with a scorching final round total of 5-under par 283 to win the team title.
Bahnsen called the second-place finish a learning experience for her team after late-round struggles throughout the 54-hole invitational.
“I felt like we didn’t finish well on the last three holes each round, so that was what ultimately kept us from winning, but we will be more prepared next time,” Bahnsen said.
Senior All-American Megan McChrystal, the No. 1 women’s player in the country, finished in a tie for third after a final round 73.
McChrystal seemed poised to make a back-nine charge for the individual title after birdies at holes 11 and 13, but consecutive bogeys on 16 and 17 doomed her chances late.
Sophomore Mary Michael Maggio posted a 76, and her three-day total of 223 was good enough for a share of 19th place.
Junior Jacqueline Hedwall improved her score by two shots each round, culminating with a final-round 73 to round out the Lady Tigers’ official scoring.
 
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