U.S. Women's Open
Five things you need to know about the amateur contending at the U.S. Women’s Open
Sarah Stier
A May to remember continues for Adela Cernousek. It began three weeks ago when the 20-year-old from France qualified for her first U.S. Women's Open. Ten days later, the Texas A&M junior pulled off the biggest win of her career by claiming the 2024 NCAA individual title at Omni La Costa Resort. The momentum continued into the first round at Lancaster Country Club, with the amateur's opening one-under 69 to tie her for the low round of the morning wave alongside LPGA Tour members Wichanee Meechai and Andrea Lee.
"I can't even believe I'm playing here this week actually," Cernousek said. "It's one of the most important tournaments out there for me. It's super fun to be able to be here."
Here are five things to know about Cernousek, vying to become the first amateur to win the U.S. Women's Open since compatriot Catherine Lacoste did in 1967.
1. She has as her caddie the husband of a former World No. 1, her college coach and caddie this week
U.S. Solheim Cup captain Stacy Lewis's husband, Gerrod Chadwell is looping for his Aggie standout in her major championship debut. Cernousek credited Chadwell for making her feel more comfortable on the course since he knows nearly everyone on the LPGA.
While Lewis didn't talk much with Cernousek during this week's practice rounds, she's a consistent resource for Cernousek when at home. The 13-time LPGA winner mostly helps Cernousek with her putting, which paid off in her first-ever U.S. Women's Open round. Cernousek made an impressive 75 feet of putts for 2.3 SG/putting.
"Every time I need something, she's always there to help," Cernousek said. "Stacy is a big help for us at home."
Lewis isn't the only mentor with tour experience who helps Cernousek. Chadwell has three-time LPGA winner Austin Dods (formerly Ernst) as an assistant coach.
Cernousek's 12-under performance at Omni La Costa in Carlsbad, Calif., was the lowest winning score since 2016 when Virginia Elena Carta of Duke shot 16 under par. Cernousek beat 2024 Augusta National Women's Amateur winner Lottie Woad by three shots to become the first Texas A&M player, man or woman, to win an NCAA individual golf title.
3. She medaled at her U.S. Women's Open Qualifier
Cernousek secured her place in the U.S. Women's Open field a week before the NCAA Championships. On May 14th, she carded a 65-73 to medal at Golfcrest Country Club in Pearland, Texas. Her six-under winning score kept her a stroke out of a two-for-one playoff.
4. She shattered Texas A&M’s season-scoring record in 2023-‘24
The junior averaged 69.94 this year, the first player in program history to have an average better than 71 in a season, bettering 2022 LPGA rookie Maddie Syzerk's 71.24 average from 2016-‘17.
5. She finished the season with 15 straight rounds under par to set another school record.
Cernousek's season-ending streak got her to 31 under-par rounds for her junior campaign, breaking Syzerk's previous record of 28 from 2017-‘18 for the most under-par rounds in Aggie history.