Claire Rogers
April 5, 2025
Carla Bernat
Getty Images
Hello friends, welcome to the special edition of Rogers Report!
After a day after Augusta National Women’s Amateurs, I wrote to you at the Augusta National Media Center. I arrived at the scene at 8:00am and had bacon, eggs and hash browns in the media center restaurant before heading to the practice area to watch the leader’s warm-up. From there, I walked to the first tee and watched the final group kick off with my colleagues.
One of my favorite things about Augusta Country is their phone-free policy. This makes everyone more aware of their surroundings and I end up finding old friends who would never see them if I kept looking at my phone.
It was a very hot afternoon so I’m definitely happy that things will cool down next week, but that’s enough for me. Let’s talk about who really matters today: Carla Bernat Escuder.
Congratulations to Carla Bernat Escuder on the perfect match and the fact that her hair looks perfect in 85° weather pic.twitter.com/clcyzy3vhr
— Claire Rogers (@kclairerrogers) April 5, 2025
I admit I don’t know much about Bernat Escuder this week, but her post-win interview has made me a lifelong fan. She was equally calm and witty, while answering questions in her second language. Let’s look at what she has to say.
Caddy conversation
When Bernat Escuder started the press conference, sitting in front of her caddies and the team, I sat in the interview room. Kansas assistant coach Rinko Mitsunaga is still wearing a white jumpsuit and Augusta National Women’s amateur hat in the interview room this week. Her entire team was excited when Bernat Escuder answered questions from the media. During the interview, Mitsubishi even yelled. Let’s scroll the metaphorical tape:
Q: After you shot at 13, you and your caddie seemed to – you put your arm next to her and you had a long chat. Can you let us join? What kind of conversation is that?
Bernat Escuder: I think we are browsing the bananas we just ate…. She is like yes, it’s the power of bananas, for 5 shots. (laughter). I think that’s what it is. Oh yes, we’re talking about – so my caddie was a very strong caddie yesterday. He wanted me to learn everything about golf courses and he helped me a lot. But he made me putt three times in a row, and I thought, OK, he only once again. That’s it.
This is a “best like in the world” moment. Bernat Escuder tells us that what she is discussing with the caddies is really not that deep. Unless we are talking about the caddies, of course, she cycles for her during her practice game at Augusta National on Friday. Hey, at least all his instructions paid off!
Q: During the trophy ceremony, you mentioned that your caddie was the real reason you won. Can you expand?
Bernat Escuder: OK, so sometimes I have a hard time dealing with it on the golf course. I was nervous and I thought, “Where is my ball?” But once I got to golf, it was great, but she was the one who went to golf with me. So she was the one who listened to my complaint: “Oh, that’s a bad shot, what is that?” You know? Yes, she did a great job of listening to me and kept reassuring me. Without this, I think I could have won.
Being someone who is also hard to deal with at times, especially when I’m nervous, I really appreciate Bernat Escuder’s self-awareness here. I know it’s not always easy on the receiving end of my worries and complaints, so speak up to all the caddies and friends to keep your loved ones calm.
Honesty mentality
Q: Do you have a special mentality today? It’s a nice ranking and it seems people are scoring well all week. Maybe you need to be aggressive. I’m curious about how you want to play today?
Bernat Escuder: So a friend of mine is here and he told me the game will win against me under 12. Today, I was just trying to play a pretty good nine holes and I knew the game started at No. 10, so when I was on the second shot of No. 10 hit percentage, I was damn.
When I hear Bernard escape swearing, I will admit that I freeze for a second. Is Augusta’s country allowed? I immediately browsed the Augusta National member who was hosting the press conference and he didn’t seem to mind, so I think it’s fair game when used in the right environment. Oh, only when you just won with the Augusta Nationals.
Spanish
Q: Before you make the score, you have a passionate hug at José María. What does this mean to you and what did he say?
Bernat Escuder: He was just saying congratulations, he looked at some golf I played today. This means everything, because he is a symbol of Spain. I was really nervous because I saw him after the game last year and I called him the wrong last name. I’m talking about Larazabal instead of Olazaar. He was like, “That’s not me.” and I thought, “I’m sorry.”
This is where I really became a fan of Bernat Escuder. Most people avoid their embarrassing moments, and great people lean on them because they know it will be a great story. Bernat Escuder ignored this anecdote from her answers so easy, but she was willing to share the moments of guilt that we all were guilty, and she laughed a lot about it. Getting the laughter of media members is almost as difficult as winning in Augusta National (no worry, I’m mainly kidding).
Q: What does it mean to be the only ANWA champion in Spain, representing your country?
Bernat Escuder: I mean, it’s cool. Hope it won’t be like this, because I hope more Spaniards will get here and keep pushing our country. Yes, I hope I’m not the last one.
All kinds of
Q: Your coach said you were the hardest worker in his coaching career. How good is it to have all the hard work rewarded in such a big way on such a big stage?
Bernat Escuder: I mean, I can’t handle the wins I’ve won. I mean, it’s nice to see us having a cold winter, having a tough day going to the golf course and showing up, which means winning everything about this game. The same is true honor.
Bernat Escuder said less here and more about her body language. She answered the question with a silly giggle and a side-eye to the coach, which made me wonder if she had ever heard of such compliments before. Either way, her reaction was interesting.
Celebration Plan
Q: How do you plan to celebrate?
Bernat Escuder: This is a good question. Probably just having a meal with everyone who came to see me. I kind of want to stay here to watch the master, but I don’t know if I can. Maybe a tattoo. Let’s take a look. (Laughter) I was thinking maybe it was Augusta’s flower, but I needed to make a decision. This is a big decision.
I’m always interested in learning how players celebrate after a big win. On the one hand, it was one of the biggest days of their lives. On the other hand, they have to be completely exhausted. So having dinner with friends and family sounds ideal.
This is to hope that Bernat Escuder will share Augusta’s tattoo on social media if she passes the plan.
When Bernat Escuder’s interview ended and everyone was about to leave the interview room, I looked back at her team and said, “She’s funny.”
Her coach replied, “This is the most ‘her’ interview she’s ever had.”
I’m glad we all knew her, even if it was only a few minutes. Her personality and Her golf would take her far away.
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Claire Rogers
Golf.comEdit
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