This week, the LPGA Tour and KPMG unveiled the first deep dive into data collected for the KPMG Performance Insights, a statistical evolution that will change the way players, coaches, media and fans experience women’s golf. With data collected since June’s LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship, the KPMG team will provide players with a wealth of information that can help them tailor their games by providing detailed statistical information.
Tuesday’s initial report rolled out the LPGA Tour’s first statistics on Strokes Gained, which calculates a player’s performance in a specific instance when compared with those of their competitors. Austin Ernst ranks second in Strokes Gained on Approach at 2.02, giving her concrete data to support what she already knew in her heart – her iron play is one of her best competitive assets.
“Obviously being able to see that statistically and saying, okay, I'm second on Tour in that since we started the stats, that reiterates that. That's one of those things I always know that's a strength of my game,” said Ernst. “Typically when I drive and putt well that's when I'm at the top of leaderboard.”
Ernst earned her first professional victory at the 2014 Cambia Portland Classic in her second season on Tour. She felt it would be the first of many wins, but instead she went winless until Ernst captured two victories in the last year. That winless drought could easily bring a player to her knees, but by focusing on benchmarks other than just wins, Ernst was able to push through and continue a very successful career.
“I got better every year. I was a much better player in 2017 than 2014. Just kind of spoke to how much deeper the talent level got out here,” she said. “So every year I felt like I was progressing and up until last year I thought my best year on tour, even though I didn't win was 2018. I had my most consistent year. Finished second I think twice that year, little things like that.
“I think that's kind of what gets me going. I want to get better every year, every week. I obviously want to win and I want to have a lot of success, but I think if I can look back and say I'm a better player than I was last year, that also gives me confidence that I will be in contention and that I can get the job done when I am in that position.”
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