This is how great players rise. Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio (-2) has marvellously recovered from the disappointment of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur by winning The “Mo”morial Traditional. She played at home, in the tournament organised by Texas A&M University itself, and delivered a masterclass to lift the trophy.
This triumph marks her second individual victory in the US collegiate league after winning the Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate last October. After failing to make the cut at the ANWA due to two unfortunate final bogeys in the second round of the tournament, the Madrid native claimed victory with authority at Traditions Club. In her third participation, it was the first time she missed out on the decisive round in Augusta, but Cata is not easily defeated. There’s no better remedy than playing more golf.
With barely any time to unpack, the event kicked off this Monday. The Texas A&M player won, being the only golfer to finish under par, with a three-shot lead over the second-place finisher and seven over the third.
The tournament began on Monday with a 36-hole marathon. She started with a round of 74 strokes, but in the second round, she accelerated with a round of 70 strokes, ending the first day tied for the lead with her teammate Yvonne Chamness (+5). The Spaniard entered the decisive round eager to make amends and posted her second consecutive round of 70 strokes. No other player shot under par in two rounds, except for Cata.
The local team, Texas AM, led by Cata, put on a true display by dominating the individual podium of the tournament and winning the team event by a staggering 38 strokes ahead of Northern Colorado, who came in second.
