NAPLES, Fla. – Austin Ernst is a promising young American on the rise.
She moved into position to accelerate that ascension Thursday taking the first-round lead at the CME Group Tour Championship.
Ernst fired eight birdies against two bogeys shooting a 6-under-par 66 to give herself a one-shot lead on Mi Hyang Lee and a two-shot lead on Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome, Sei Young Kim, Gerina Piller, Jaye Marie Green and Jennifer Song.
“You have to rank this right behind the majors,” said Ernst, 23. “Just being the Tour Championship, we've got the top 72 from the year playing this week.