Alexa Pano made a bunch of birdies Tuesday at the 45th Girls Junior PGA Championship – and some news after the round.
After shooting a 7-under 66 at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, to take a two-shot lead, the 16-year-old Pano said she is entering next month’s LPGA Tour Q-School.
First, the golf.
Pano birdied three of her first four holes and added five more birdies for her lowest score of the year. The 66 on the par-73 course gave her a two-shot advantage over Isabella McCauley and Jaclyn LaHa heading into Wednesday’s second round.
“I just played solid,” Pano said. “I birdied all of the par-5s and I kept it in play. I’ve shot a lot of scores around even par this year. It’s nice to not make many mistakes that prevented me from going low.”
Next, her future.
Pano, who turns 17 on Aug. 20, said she will retain her amateur status when she plays in Stage 1 of LPGA Tour’s Q-School Aug. 15-22 at Mission Hills. Her reasoning to try Q-School?
“Mainly the experience,” Pano said. “Q-School is something a lot of people are unprepared for. It’s a tough test of golf. There are quite a few amateurs who are going to be there. It will help me be prepared for what’s coming in the future.”
Pano wouldn’t commit to turning pro if she were to make it through all three stages. She’s not even sure if she would have that option because the LPGA Tour has a minimum age restriction of 18, though golfers can apply for exemptions.
“I’m not sure if I can go to third stage because I won’t be 18,” Pano said. “I have petitioned the LPGA and I am waiting to hear back on that.”
Age has never been a factor for Pano. She was 8 when she appeared in the documentary “The Short Game” about top junior golfers. Pano was the youngest (11) to play in an LPGA of Japan Tour event in 2016, she was 13 when she played in an LPGA Tour event in 2018 and in 2019 she was the youngest (14) to play in the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
PGA Teaching Professional Jerry Tucker of Stuart, Florida, has worked with Pano on her short game for more than two years. He believes it’s a good idea for her to get an early look at Q-School.
“Ideally, you would go to Q-School one year before you have a legitimate chance,” Tucker said. “That’s not the case with Alexa — she has a legitimate chance. But it’s the nerves that are going to get you the first time at an event like Q-School.
“I don’t think it’s too early. Emotionally, she can handle it. She’s a tough cookie, emotionally.”
Pano’s decision to try Q-School early appears to close the door on her going to college. She sidestepped that question Tuesday by saying, “I’m still figuring things out, going with the flow.”
After the Girls Junior PGA Championship, Pano will play in the Junior Solheim Cup, but the Junior Ryder Cup was canceled because of COVID-19 issues.
Pano has come close to winning a USGA event several times, but she may earn her first junior major title from the PGA of America’s top event.
“It would be massive,” Pano said. “I want to win everything I play in. I haven’t had that chance this year, so to win this event would be really special.”
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