The reactions to Carla Bernat‘s triumph at Augusta National have been countless, and the first to congratulate the Spaniard was José María Olazábal, present at the victory of the player from Castellón de la Plana.
The Spaniard was asked about the emotional hug she shared with the two-time Masters winner: “He congratulated me and told me he was able to watch a large part of the day. It means a lot to me because he is a symbol in Spain.”
The champion admits she was especially nervous due to a funny moment that happened exactly twelve months ago: “I was tense because just last year, after playing, I called him by the wrong surname! I said ‘Larrazábal’ instead of ‘Olazábal’. He said: ‘That’s not me.’ And I said: ‘I’m sorry!’ the Spaniard recounted with laughter. The nerves betrayed her twelve months ago, but today’s hug makes up for everything.
Another of the great figures of the day is Rinko Mitsunaga, her coach assistant from Kansas State University, who acted as her caddie this week.
“The victory is thanks to her. Rinko knows how to manage and handle me. I’m very grateful she carried my bag these three days. Sometimes it’s very difficult to deal with me on the golf course. I get nervous, and I wonder where my ball is, and when I get to the golf ball, everything is fine, but she is the one who accompanies me there. So she is the one who listens to me complain, oh, that was a bad shot, what was that, you know, and she does a really good job listening to me and calming me down all the time. Without her, I don’t think I could have won.”
The camaraderie between them has been evident throughout the tournament, and on the way to the 13th green, it was very apparent. They were seen laughing a lot. Recalling the conversation, Carla acknowledges that she had just eaten a banana, and Rinko laughed at the power the banana gave her to face the par five: “Also, we were talking about the caddie who accompanied me on the practice round yesterday, who was really intense. He wanted me to know everything about the course. He made me putt the same putt three times. And I was like: ‘Okay,’ and he was like: ‘Again, just one more time.’ Remembering it made us laugh.”
The 21-year-old player also had words for Jon Rahm, one of her great idols: “Due to proximity, Jon is my great reference because he also went to the BLUME, they say we have similar swings, and sometimes they compare me to him in the mentality I have of wanting to achieve my goals.”
Finally, the Spaniard was asked how she planned to celebrate the triumph. After talking about the dinner she wants to have and her intention to stay for the Masters, the player surprised with a gift she wants to give herself: “Good question. I want to have dinner with all the people who came to see me. I would also like to stay to watch the Masters, but I don’t know if I can. And maybe a tattoo… we’ll see. (Laughter). I was thinking about the Augusta flower, but I have to decide. It’s a big decision.” If there’s a great day to immortalise, this is undoubtedly one of them.
