NCAA Champion Austin Ernst Seeks to Play at a Higher Level
Few freshman seasons in LSU sports history have been as successful as that of women’s golfer Austin Ernst.
The Seneca, S.C. native set a new standard for the LSU women’s program in 2011, becoming the first Lady Tiger to win the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship at The Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas on May 21.
She became the third LSU golfer (male or female) to win the NCAA title and was soon joined by John Peterson, who won the men’s national championship two weeks later. With the two national champions, LSU became the first school in NCAA history to sweep the men’s and women’s individual crowns.
“It was very gratifying to know I stepped up in the big spotlight because it affirmed what I’m capable of,” Ernst said. “It showed I can handle the pressure when it gets to the important moments against the best competition.”
Ernst posted scores of 72-66-77-66 to shoot a school record 7-under-par 281 to win the title by three strokes.
The win didn’t come without adversity. She started the final round three shots behind the lead after a third round 77, in which her scorecard contained two triple bogeys. Ernst shot back up the leader board and into contention early in the fourth round with a front nine score of 31, highlighted by her first ever hole-in-one on the par-3 second hole, en route to a 6-under-66.
“I knew I needed to post a low number going into the final round,” Ernst said. “I got off to a great start making my first ever ace and I just continued making putts. I knew I had to keep my emotions in check because I still had 16 holes to play.”
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The national championship capped a season that saw Ernst named a National Golf Coaches Association and Golfweek First-Team All-American in addition to making the NGCA All-Scholar Athlete Team.
While Ernst had a spectacular season on a veteran team a year ago, she’ll now be asked to take on the new role of team leader following the departure of four seniors from last year’s team, including All-American Megan McChrystal.
“Being a leader on a golf team is different from other sports,” Ernst said. “Once you’re on the course you don’t see your teammates much so there’s a communication barrier. Last year’s seniors taught me it’s about setting a standard in practice and building strong team chemistry. We’re well on our way to doing that this year.”
Ernst has wasted little time and is already on her way to another stellar season.
Her spectacular form from the spring carried into the summer with a thrilling run all the way to the U.S. Women’s Amateur semifinals in August, where she lost on the final hole to Moriya Jutanugarn, the No. 2 ranked junior golfer in the world.
Ernst posted a three-under 68 in her semifinal defeat. She was just unable to overcome a bad lie off her drive, which forced her to lay up short of the green for her second shot on the par-4 18th hole. Ernst couldn’t get up-and-down for par while Jutanugarn two-putted for a match-winning par 4.
“I played my best match of the tournament,” Ernst said. “She just beat me. There’s not much more I could have done.”
Ernst began the fall 2011 campaign by winning the Cougar Classic at the Yeaman Hall Course in Charleston, S.C., shooting a school record 54-hole total of 13-under-par 203.
Like in the NCAA Championship, Ernst had to come from behind, firing a final round 67 to overcome a one-shot deficit and finish first.
The victory was the third of her career, putting her fourth all-time on the LSU career wins list.
“I think the successes in pressure situations I’ve experienced recently are already helping me,” Ernst said. “I know not every swing is going to be perfect so I try and take it all in stride and learn something every time I step on the golf course.”
Ernst has set the bar very high in her short time at LSU. Despite her great results, she continues working to reach even greater heights.
“I have a lot of goals for this season,” Ernst said. “First and foremost I’d like to add a team national championship to go along with another individual title. I want to be SEC Player of the Year, NCAA Player of the Year and have a scoring average under 72.”
While Ernst’s expectations may be high, her results in just over a year on campus indicate the sky’s the limit for her and the Lady Tiger golfers.