Cernousek jumped out to an early lead and was one up on Talley after three holes. However, the elite junior golfer won four of the next six holes and took a three-hole lead on the 12th hole. The reigning NCAA individual champion took the lead with wins on the 12th and 13th holes and threatened to tie the match several times until the final hole.
The All-American needed to win on the 18th hole to push the match to extra holes, as she did in the round of 16. Her approach shot on the par-4 No. 18 landed on the lower edge of the green, more than 40 feet from the hole, while Talley was three feet behind the putting surface. The Antibes, France native hit a beautiful putt that narrowly missed the hole for par. Talley tied it with a two-putt from the fringe, preventing the Aggies from coming back.
Cernousek is fresh off a three-month stint in which she won the first NCAA individual championship in program history, competed in three LPGA events and played for Team International in the 2024 Arnold Palmer Cup. The Maroon & White will begin the season at the Carmel Cup at the historic Pebble Beach Golf Links Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
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