After constant rain and darkness delays impeded play for the Guardian Championship – one of the last tournaments left on the Epson Tour for the season – Carla Bernat Escuder clinched her first win on tour. The Spaniard won the Guardian Championship on Monday at 16-under after an 8-under 64 final round.
Bernat Escuder went into Sunday’s play T5, and by playing a calm and consistent round, she rocketed to the top of the leaderboard. Michelle Zhang kept the competition close, but the former Kansas State player was able to finish her last round with a 2-stroke lead over Zhang.
“Just thank you so much for supporting me,” Bernat Escuder said as a message to her friends and family after winning. “This is yours, too.”
With the tournament win, Bernat Escuder has risen in the Race for the Card rankings, now sitting at No. 4. In just her first season on tour, Bernat Escuder has made 15 of 16 cuts, an impressive stat for a newcomer.
Born in Castellón de la Plana, Spain, Bernat Escuder had the opportunity to learn under Victor Garcia, father of Sergio Garcia. He continues to act as her swing coach.
At Tulane University, the Spaniard was named the 2023 AAC Women’s Golfer of the Year, helped her team win the 2022 AAC Championship and set the program’s single-season scoring average record at 70.65. After two years playing for Tulane, she transferred to Kansas State University, where she became the golf program’s first All-American. In 2025, Bernat Escuder was crowned the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Champion, scoring all three rounds in the 60s.
Bernat Escuder has been at the top of several leaderboards over her short but successful Epson Tour run, but now having pulled off a win it is sure to top even more. With only two events left this season, Bernat Escuder is closer than ever to securing her LPGA Tour card. Thus far, only No. 1 Mirabel Ting has officially clinched hers.
The Epson Tour heads to El Dorado, AR, for the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout this week, Sept. 18-20. This is the last regular season event ahead of the Tour Championship the first week of October.
