Carla Bernat returns to the LPGA Tour. The winner of the ANWA in 2025 will contest this week her second regular tournament on the American circuit. Her first foray was last year at the Canadian Open and she made the cut. Not bad credentials. The golfer from Castellón will take part thanks to an invitation by virtue of being the winner in Augusta at the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass, on the Cattail course of the Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona.
The excitement is inevitable when it comes to Bernat. She won last year the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, one of the most important events in the amateur world, and arrives at this tournament with a perfect explosive cocktail. First, because she says she has nothing to lose. The LPGA is not, as of today, her circuit, so she is not risking much.
Also, she arrives without fear. “The only thing that would really change my life right now would be a victory, so that is the goal”, she told reporters today.
And finally, she arrives without pressure and with sky-high confidence. She has already played three tournaments on the Epson Tour this year, the second tier of the LPGA and her current base. Her results have been notable. The first week she finished in 37th place, the second tournament she finished 31st and this Sunday she ended fourth in the Orlando Health Championship.
Definitely, Bernat must be counted on, and she will play the first two rounds with the Indian Aditi Ashok and the Chinese Weiwei Zhang. As if that were not enough, Carla has an extra incentive and her name is, precisely, Carla, although her surname is Tejedo. The recent performance of her compatriot, fellow local and clubmate in Castellón (fifth on Sunday in the Founders Cup) can only be an incentive to try to give her best
Alongside Carla Bernat, in Arizona will be: Carlota Ciganda, Carolina Chacarra, Carla Tejedo and Julia López. The only absence is Azahara Muñoz. Carlota is practically playing at home. Beyond the Spaniards, the return to competition of Jessica Korda stands out. She has not played since May 2023, when she withdrew after the first round of the Founders Cup. She has been away from competition to become a mother.
Also, there are big names such as Nelly Korda, Miyu Yamashita, Angel Yin, Lydia Ko, Lottie Woad, Hyo Joo Kim, Lexi Thompson, Rose Zhang, Rio Takeda, Brooke Henderson or Sei Young Kim, among others
