Austin Ernst won an NCAA Championship at Texas A&M’s home course, and now she’s headed to College Station to begin a new career. The three-time LPGA winner announced during her pre-tournament press conference at the ShopRite LPGA Classic that she has accepted a job as an assistant coach at A&M.
“I’m sad to step away from professional golf full time,” said Ernst, “but it’s health-wise what I have to do.”
Ernst hasn’t played an LPGA event in 14 months after suffering a neck injury. The 31-year-old said she didn’t realize the seriousness of the injury at first, thinking she’d only miss a couple tournaments.
It wasn’t until last June when she heard that the worst-case scenario was that she couldn’t play golf anymore, that reality hit her square in the face. She’d gone 10 years without any injuries.
“I haven’t had anything like this,” she said. “You kind of think you’re invincible.”
Ernst volunteered at the University of Richmond last semester and got her first taste of college coaching. The former LSU player was along for the ride when Richmond won its conference championship and advanced to regionals.
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“I think my area of expertise is more player development, you know, preparing for tournaments, course management,” said Ernst. “How to get that little bit better, make that next step.
“I’m looking forward to that aspect of it. I love golf. I’m one of those golf nerds that likes golf a lot, so it’ll be cool for me to still be able to play a little bit with them.”
Stacy Lewis’ husband, Gerrod Chadwell, is head coach at A&M and led the Aggies to an SEC title this spring and a semifinals’ run at the 2023 NCAA Championship. Ernst plans to make a couple more LPGA starts this summer before starting her new job in August.
Ernst turned professional in 2012 and won her first LPGA title in 2014 at the Portland Classic. Six years later, she won again in Arkansas. Her latest victory came in 2021 at the Drive On Championship. A two-time Solheim Cup participant, Ernst’s best finish in a major was a runner-up finish to Angela Stanford at the 2018 Evian Championship.
Ernst’s brother Drew caddied for on the LPGA and now works for Andrea Lee.
“I think everybody thinks they’re seeing a ghost when they see me,” said Ernst. “I’ve had a lot of double takes this week so far. It’s been fun to be back out on tour.”