Texas A&M golfer Adela Cernousek to turn pro

Reigning NCAA individual golf champion Adela Cernousek announced her intent to join the professional ranks Monday, foregoing the remainder of her college eligibility.

Cernousek earned a spot on the 2025 Epson Tour by winning the qualifying stage of the LPGA Q-Series with a 14-under 274. However, she had to declare her intention to turn professional before she could play in the final qualifying round of the tournament Dec. 5-9 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile Alabama.

"I am beyond grateful to be surrounded by so many special people," Cernousek said as part of a statement. "My life is changed forever. Growing up in France, I could have never imagined any of this but after so many years of hard work I am excited to announce that I am turning professional and chasing my dream of playing on the LPGA Tour. I can't wait for this next chapter of my life and to make my dreams come true. Gig 'Em Forever!"

The senior took part in four tournaments with the Aggies this fall, coming off her individual title last spring. She earned the title with a 12-under 276, winning the crown by three strokes, to become the first Aggie golfer to win an individual national championship.

A&M head coach Gerrod Chadwell called it a "bittersweet day" for the program, knowing what it means for his player to turn pro, but also what it means for his returning players. A team meeting was held Monday afternoon to plan for the remainder of the season.

"When that young lady walked on campus three and a half years ago, nobody was really talking about that," Chadwell said. "She feels like she's ready to go and we're 100% behind her. The hard part about it is just the timing of how our sport provides that opportunity. Most of the sports, it happens after the season and they have a combine or something to go get ready for before a draft. But, just with our sport, it's the best chance for her to what she feels like she can chase a career."

She ends her amateur career ranked No. 10 in the world, having reached as high as No. 7.

"Her game is there now," Chadwell said. "She's ready to go learn in that environment, no different than when she got off the plane coming here and trying to adapt to everything in America in college golf. So, I'm excited for the program.

So far this season, the Aggies have finished as high as second, coming in the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Challenge in Fort Worth. They return to action in late January at Match in the Desert in Gold Canyon, Arizona.

The Aggies also claimed the No. 2 recruiting class in the country according to Golfweek. The class includes Scarlett Schremmer, Natalie Yen and Brynn Kort, who rank in the top five of the class nationally. Avery Zweig is one of the top-rated junior golfer's in Texas.

Some of this has been made possible by the mark Cernousek made on the program, Chadwell said.

"It's a feather in the program's cap to show that that can be possible here in College Station, Texas that we got one of the best players in the world that's going to go make our mark on the professional game."