AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Carla Bernat Escuder wasn't worried about anyone behind her, only those who were ahead. Thanks to a flop shot she only recently mastered, birdies on all the par 5s and a nervy 4-foot par putt to finish, the Spaniard stood alone at the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
Bernat Escuder rallied from a two-shot deficit against defending champion Lottie Woad and held off a late charge from teenager Asterisk Talley, closing with a 4-under 68 to add to the Spanish heritage at the home of the Masters.
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Asterisk Talley hits on the 13th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, plays the 11th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Asterisk Talley hits on the 13th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, hits on the 12th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, celebrates after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, poses with the trophy after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Asterisk Talley hits from the second tee during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Asterisk Talley reacts after hitting on the first hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Lottie Woad, of England, follows her shot on the fourth green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Lottie Woad, of England, lines up her shot on the 12th green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, pumps her fist after making her shot on the 15th green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, walks across the bridge along the 13th fairway during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, celebrates after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, follows her shot from the 18th fairway during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“As of right now, I don’t think my brain has processed that I won,” said Bernat Escuder, a senior at Kansas State.
She grew up in the same region as Masters champion Sergio Garcia, and his father still coaches and encourages her. She was so nervous meeting two-time champion Jose Maria Olazabal last year that she got his name wrong.
Key to this win was U.S. Amateur champion Jose Luis Ballester — also from Castellon — who makes his Masters debut this week. They have been friends since age 7, and she went to him with help on her chipping.
It paid off in a big way with her flop shot from a dangerous spot right of the 10th green, setting up a par that kept her momentum all the way to end.
She left her approach right of the bunker, with the golf ball slightly above her feet. Bernat Escuder hit a marvelous flop shot to 12 feet and holed the par putt.
“If there was one shot that you’re going to need the hands back to hit it higher, as he tells me, it’s this one,” she said. “So yeah, I appreciate that tip.”
She has watched the Masters enough to have ingrained in her mind that it doesn't start until the back nine. And there she was, leading by one after a 33 on the front nine and starting at a probably bogey until her flop shot came off beautifully.
The 10th hole was more pivotal than she realized.
Woad was looking to become the first back-to-back winner of the Augusta National Women's Amateur. She was tied for the lead with Kiara Romero going into the final group, birdied the first hole and led by two early. But it all came undone on the 10th.
From the fairway, she was aggressive with her approach and tugged the shot left and over the green, into a bush. Woad had to take a penalty drop, chipped on and missed the putt, giving her a double bogey and leaving her three shots behind.
“I put a good swing on it, it was just the wrong club,” said Woad, who went with a 5-iron. “Thought it was meant to be into the wind, and off the downslope it came out a bit too flat, so probably should have just hit one less club. Then got in an unfortunate position, so probably was always going to make 6 from there.”
She had to chase, just like a year ago when she delivered a memorable back-nine charge. This time, she could only manage two birdies and closed with a 72 to finish third.
“Pretty frustrated,” Woad said.
The charge came from Talley, the U.S. Women's Amateur and U.S. Junior Girls runner-up, who began the final round by holing out from the first fairway for eagle.
Coming off a birdie at the 16th to get to within three shots, Talley hit a remarkable recovery from under the pines left of the 17th fairway. The ball stayed under the limbs and rolled up along the edge of the bunker, using all of the slope to get to about 18 feet behind the hole.
Instead of scrambling for par, she holed the putt for birdie to give herself a chance.
Talley, however, was too strong with her approach on the 18th, leaving the ball on the top tier with the hole some 40 feet away in its typical Masters Sunday location. She did well to two-putt for par and a 68.
“I was just trying to shoot my score and having a lot of fun,” Talley said.
In the group behind was Bernat Escuder, who also was in the trees on the 17th, put it in a bunker and made bogey. That cut her lead to one shot with one hole to play.
The Spaniard found the fairway, also hit onto the top tier and navigated a 4-foot par putt to finish at 12-under 204 and claim what already has become as prestigious as any women's amateur event in the world.
Eila Galitsky started seven shots behind, shot 31 on the front nine and closed with the low round of the day at 66 to tie for fourth with Catherine Park (67).
How to celebrate? Bernat Escuder planned a nice dinner with her coach and all her support.
“And maybe a tattoo. We’ll see,” she said. “I was thinking maybe the flower of Augusta, but I need to decide on that. It’s a big decision.”
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Asterisk Talley hits on the 13th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, plays the 11th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Asterisk Talley hits on the 13th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, hits on the 12th hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, celebrates after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, poses with the trophy after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Asterisk Talley hits from the second tee during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Asterisk Talley reacts after hitting on the first hole during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Lottie Woad, of England, follows her shot on the fourth green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Lottie Woad, of England, lines up her shot on the 12th green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, pumps her fist after making her shot on the 15th green during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, walks across the bridge along the 13th fairway during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, celebrates after winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Carla Bernat Escuder, of Spain, follows her shot from the 18th fairway during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Andre Onana, described by Nemanja Matic as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history”, was at fault for both goals as his side drew 2-2 at Lyon in a Europa League quarterfinal first leg on Thursday.
Former United midfielder Matic, now a player with Lyon, made the less than flattering comments about Onana in a pre-game press conference.
Then, in the match itself, United went 1-0 down after 25 minutes when Onana failed to stop a curling free-kick from out wide by Thiago Almada.
Leny Yoro equalized for the visiting team in first-half stoppage time, with a header after goalkeeper Lucas Perri had cleared a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
Fernandes then sent a precise cross for substitute Joshua Zirkzee to head what seemed to be the winner in the 88th minute.
But Rayan Cherki hit back for Lyon when he pounced on the rebound after Cameroon international Onana had spilled an effort from Georges Mikautadze.
“I think this is the worst moment to concede a goal like that," Yoro told TNT Sports. “We were winning 2-1. I think away this was a good score, but we go with a draw and we try to win the game at home.”
United remains the only side unbeaten in the competition this season.
Winning the Europa League, as United did in 2017, is rewarded with a spot in the Champions League, something the club is highly unlikely to achieve through its current 13th-place position in the Premier League.
Tottenham, also bidding to rescue a dismal Premier League campaign, hit back to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tottenham went 1-0 down when Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké scored following a fast counterattack in the sixth minute.
The hosts then drew level with a goal from Pedro Porro in the 26th after he met a cross from James Maddison.
“I can’t ask any more of the lads,” said Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou. “It was disappointing to concede the way we did.”
Ulrik Saltnes struck twice as Bodø/Glimt stunned Lazio 2-0 in tough conditions just inside the Arctic Circle.
Earlier, heavy snowfall in Bodø put the game in doubt between the Norwegian champion and the side that had finished top in the league phase.
In a game played on an artificial pitch, Saltnes scored early in the second half with a low shot after Ole Didrik Blomberg fed him inside the area.
The midfielder then added his second goal by lobbing the ball over Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, with Alessio Romagnoli's clearance coming after it crossed the line.
Ten-man Rangers and Athletic Bilbao shared a goalless draw in Glasgow, after the home side was reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when defender Robin Pröpper brought down Iñaki Williams and was dismissed.
Alex Berenguer also missed a late penalty for Athletic.
All the second legs are next Thursday.
Chelsea is still cruising in the Europa Conference League after keeping its perfect record with a 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw.
Following a dull first half, Chelsea struck twice early in the second period and then added another goal.
Tyrique George netted the first in the 49th on a rebound, his first goal for the club, while second-half substitute Noni Madueke scored with a left-foot shot eight minutes later. It could have been three but Christopher Nkunku had his spot kick saved.
Madueke made it 3-0 from close range in the 74th.
In the other quarterfinal, first-leg games, Fiorentina won 2-1 at Celje, Real Betis beat Jagiellonia 2-0 and Rapid Vienna downed Djurgården 1-0.
All the second legs are next Thursday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou speaks to the players during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's Arthur Theate, center, clears the ball before Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, background, can reach it during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet, center, heads the ball during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)
Rangers' Dujon Sterling reacts following an injury during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Rangers' Bailey Rice is carried off on a stretcher, during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)
Fiorentina's Rolando Mandragora scores his side's second goal from a penalty kick during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinal soccer match between Celje and Fiorentina in Celje, Slovenia, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)
Lyon's goalkeeper Lucas Perri reacts after Rayan Cherki scored his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim gestures during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Rayan Cherki, centre back to the camera, scores his side's second goal past Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Rayan Cherki, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Bodø/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Bodø/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Legia's fans use flares during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Chelsea's Malo Gusto, center, jumps for the ball during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Chelsea players celebrate a goal against Legia during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Bodø/Glimt's Ole Didrik Blomberg, right, and Lazio's goalkeeper Christos Mandas react during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos watches the ball cross the goal line after Tottenham's Pedro Porro scored his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos makes a save during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos watches a shot from Tottenham's Pedro Porro hit the bar during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Tottenham's Pedro Porro celebrates with James Maddison after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Manchester United's Casemiro, centre, challenges for the ball with Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico, centre left, and Moussa Niakhate, centre right, as Lyon's Thiago Almada, not in the picture, scores the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Corentin Tolisso, centre right, reacts during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Leny Yoro, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Leny Yoro, left, celebrates with Alejandro Garnacho after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
