BELLEAIR, Fla.— The Texas A&M women’s golf team has set itself up for a chance at a repeat Southeastern Conference crown as the Aggies defeated Arkansas (3-1-1) and Georgia (3-2) to advance to the finals at the Pelican Golf Club on Monday.
“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.”
The pair of victories sets up a rematch of last year’s SEC title against Mississippi State at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Texas A&M took last year’s title, 3-2, behind a playoff victory from Zoe Slaughter after she won the third playoff hole.
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In the quarterfinals, the Aggies quickly secured a lead in three matches at the turn against Arkansas. Adela Cernousek logged a win against Arkansas freshman Maria José Marin. Cernousek took down the No. 15 amateur in the world by a score of 5&4. Cernousek shot a 31 through the first nine holes to get out to a strong start and got a critical point on 14 to secure the win.
A&M’s Blanca Fernández García-Poggio was the next victor as she claimed three of the first four holes on the final nine to earn a four-hole lead on the Razorbacks’ Kendall Todd. 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’ Kajal Mistry won three straight holes to even the match with two left. The Aggie freshman and her opponent were both off the green on No. 8, but Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio made an up and down to save par and win the hole. The two halved No. 9 and A&M advanced to the semifinals for the second-straight year.
Jennie Park was down one hole when Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio clinched the match and Zoe Slaughter fell 5&4.
The Aggies turned right around from the quarterfinals to meet Georgia in the semis. The first point on the board came from Blanca Fernández García-Poggio who dominated her match 6UP. She won five of her 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-plus birdie putts, including a match extender on No. 16. Ultimately, Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio once again clinched 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.
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
Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio def. Savannah De Bock; 1UP
Napat Lertsadwattana def. Jennie Park; 1UP
Championship matches against Mississippi State
Blanca Fernández García-Poggio vs. Surapa Janthamunee;10 a.m.
Adela Cernosuek vs. Izzy Pellot;10:10 a.m.
Zoe Slaughter vs. Avery Weed;10:20 a.m.
Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio vs. Chiara Horder;10:30 a.m.
Jennie Park vs. Julia Lopez Ramirez;10:40 a.m.