Tag: LPGA Q-Series

Final round of LPGA Qualifying suspended in Alabama due to unplayable conditions

The final round will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The fifth and final round of LPGA Qualifying was suspended on Monday due to unplayable conditions. Rain started falling early in Mobile, Alabama, and never relented. Play was initially suspended at 9:30 a.m. local time and called for the day at 1 p.m.

The final round will resume at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

A pair of Japanese players pace the field with Chisato Iwai (21 under) and Miyu Yamashita (19 under) both through two holes on the Crossings Course at Magnolia Grove. Iwai’s twin sister, Akie, holds a share of seventh.

The top-25 players and ties will earn LPGA cards for 2025. Everyone else will earn Epson Tour status.

Texas A&M’s Adela Cernousek, the 2024 NCAA champion, currently holds a share of 12th. Cernousek turned professional in order to compete in the final stage. Former U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Saki Baba is on the bubble in a share of 21st along with former Solheim Cup player Azahara Munoz.

LPGA Q-Series final qualifying stage is 5 days, 90 holes with 25 cards on the line

It’s not quite the grind it used to be but there’s also fewer spots up for grabs.

It’s not quite the grind it used to be but it’s still no walk in the park. There’s also fewer spots up for grabs this time around.

The 2024 LPGA Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage is in Mobile, Alabama. Thursday marked the first day of a five-day, 90-hole test of perseverance. The top 25 and ties after five days will earn status on the LPGA in 2025. There will be a cut to the top 65 and ties following the fourth round.

The Falls and the Crossings courses at Magnolia Grove Golf Course are the venues for the event.

Yu Liu paced the field on Day 1 with a 9-under 62 on the Crossings course. Isa Gabsa had the best first day on the Falls course with an 8-under 64.

Day 2 saw Liu, an LPGA rookie in 2018, maintain her lead with a second-round 67. She’s now at 14 under, seven shots clear of the field. Maria Fassi made a big jump on the board with a Friday 64. She’s tied with four others – Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, Manon De Roey and Chisato Iwai – for second after 36 holes at 7 under.

While 90 holes over five-pressure packed days seems like a lot, LPGA Q school used to be even more demanding.

  • In 2023, golfers had to go through 108 holes of stroke play with six rounds over six straight days.
  • From 2018 to 2022, it was 144 holes with two 72-hole stroke play events over consecutive weeks.
  • From 2009 to 2017, the event was called Stage III, and it was similar to how it is now, with 90 holes of stroke play over the span of a week.

What’s also new this year is that the 25 cards being handed out represents a cut in half from the 50 golfers who earned them a year ago.

In February, the tour announced that change, which was implemented to allow all golfers earning LPGA membership from Q-Series more access into LPGA tournaments while placing greater emphasis on rewarding full-season performance for players in Category 15 (LPGA 101-125 and Epson 11-15). Previously, players who finished in the top 45 and ties at LPGA Q-Series would earn LPGA status in Categories 14 (Nos. 1-20) or 15 (Nos. 21-45). Players who complete all rounds before the cut at LPGA Q-Series will earn Epson Tour status.

Notables in the field include Saki Baba, Alena Sharp, Gina Kim, Azahara Munoz, Sarah White, Ana Belac, Pernilla Lindberg, Bronte Law, Latanna Stone, Sophia Popov and Adela Cernousek.

Reigning NCAA individual champion marks third top-10 amateur to turn pro ahead of LPGA Final Qualifying

The amateur deadline to turn professional and compete in Final Qualifying was 5 p.m. ET Friday.

The reigning NCAA individual champion won’t return to Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s North Course in May to defend her title.

Adela Cernousek, a senior at Texas A&M and 10th-ranked amateur in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, announced Monday she was turning professional. The decision comes on the heels of Cernousek advancing to final stage of LPGA Q-Series, with amateurs having to turn professional to compete in Final Qualifying, Dec. 5-9 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile, Alabama.

Cernousek is the third amateur who advanced to Final Qualifying to turn professional, joining UCLA’s Zoe Campos and Mississippi State’s Julia Lopez Ramirez, who announced last week. Western Kentucky senior Catie Craig told Golfweek she is retaining her amateur status, as is fellow UCLA senior Caroline Canales in what was an 11th-hour decision.

The amateur deadline to turn professional and compete in Final Qualifying was 5 p.m. ET Friday, Nov. 15. Those who don’t turn professional will receive Epson Tour status.

With Lopez Ramirez (No. 3 in WAGR), Campos (No. 8) and Cernousek (No. 10), college golf is set to lose three of its best seniors for the spring season.

This is on the heels of the expected LPGA announcement of a new way for the top amateurs to pass Q-Series, which could help keep some in school.

But for now, three of the best in amateur golf are chasing their professional dreams.

Julia Lopez Ramirez, the third-ranked amateur in the world, is turning professional

The amateur deadline to turn professional to compete in Final Qualifying is Friday at 5 p.m. ET.

One of the best players in college golf has decided to take the next step in her career.

Julia Lopez Ramirez, the third-ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is leaving Mississippi State and turning professional. She’s expected to tee it up next month in the Final Qualifying stage of LPGA Q-Series, which requires players to have professional status to compete. UCLA senior Zoe Campos, eighth in WAGR, also turned professional to play at Final Qualifying

Lopez Ramirez is the two-time reigning SEC individual champion and was one of 25 golfers on the Annika Award final fall watch list for her fall season.

Five amateurs advanced past the second stage of LPGA Qualifying, including 2024 NCAA individual champion Adela Cernousek, but the senior at Texas A&M is returning to school for the spring. Also advancing were Western Kentucky’s Catie Craig and Campos’ Bruin teammate Caroline Canales.

LPGA: With the success of PGA Tour University, should the LPGA follow suit for the top female collegiate players?

The amateur deadline to turn professional and compete in Final Qualifying is 5 p.m. ET Friday. Those who don’t turn professional will receive Epson Tour status.

Final Qualifying is set for Dec. 5-9 at Magnolia Grove Golf Club in Mobile, Alabama.

Curtis Cup standout Sara Byrne, Zoe Campos and Amari Avery off to strong start at LPGA Qualifying

There are 195 players in this week’s field in Venice, Florida, playing over two courses.

After a rough season on the LPGA, Italy’s Roberta Liti started off hot at the second stage of LPGA Q-Series. The former Arizona State player opened with a 6-under 66 at Plantation Golf and Country Club’s Bobcat Course to take a one-stroke lead. Liti, 29, missed her last seven cuts on the LPGA in her first full season.

The top 35 and ties after four rounds of the no-cut event will move on to December’s Final Qualifying stage. Everyone who finishes 72 holes will earn Epson Tour stats for 2025. There are 195 players in this week’s field in Venice, Florida, playing over two courses.

Ireland’s Sara Byrne, who set a new program single-season scoring average (70.34) at Miami last spring, shot 67 on the Bobcat. Byrne went 2-0-3 at the Curtis Cup this summer to help lead Great Britain & Ireland to its first Curtis Cup victory since 2016.

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UCLA senior Zoe Campos, who is playing this week as an amateur, is among those who opened with 68. Players must turn professional before competing in December’s Final Qualifying.

Other notables include former USC standout Amari Avery, who opened with a 69 on the Bobcat. Bobbi Stricker, daughter of PGA Tour and Champions player Steve Stricker, shot 77 on the Bobcat.

Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson carded 78 on the Panther Course. Davidson, who played men’s college golf at the Division II and III levels, advanced through the LPGA’s pre-qualifier by taking a share of 42nd.

LPGA announces new dates for Qualifying Stage of Q-Series in the wake of Hurricane Milton

On Friday, the LPGA announced that Q-Series is back on.

Three days ago, the LPGA announced that its Qualifying Stage Q-Series event would not take place as originally scheduled from Oct. 13-18.

Hurricane Milton forced the postponement at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida.

At the time, the LPGA made the decision “because of the potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, and with the safety of athletes, caddies, staff, volunteers, and the local community as our top priority.”

Venice is located about an hour south of Tampa, an area that was expected to take a direct hit from Milton, but the storm shifted farther south than originally forecast.

On Friday, the LPGA announced that Q-Series is back on. In a statement, the tour said:

Following an assessment of the course and in close coordination with Plantation Golf and Country Club, the Qualifying Stage of LPGA Q-Series has been rescheduled for October 20 – 25, 2024.

The safety of athletes, caddies, staff, volunteers, and the local community continues to be our top priority. Our thoughts remain with the entire Florida community as we further assess the impacts of Hurricane Milton.

The Qualifying Stage is the second of three in the LPGA Q-Series. Last month, pre-qualifying was held in California at Mission Hills Country Club and Indian Wells Golf Course. Final Qualifying is scheduled for Dec. 5-9 in Mobile, Alabama, at Magnolia Grove Golf Club.

LPGA postpones Qualifying Stage of Q-Series as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida

Venice is located about an hour south of Tampa.

Before it has even made landfall in the United States, Hurricane Milton is affecting professional golf.

The LPGA announced Tuesday its Qualifying Stage Q-Series event, scheduled for Oct. 13-18 at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, Florida, has been postponed. The decision was made because of the “potential impacts of Hurricane Milton, and with the safety of athletes, caddies, staff, volunteers, and the local community as our top priority.”

“Updates will be announced following a thorough assessment of conditions after the storm passes,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts are with the entire Florida community as we prepare for the storm.”

LPGA regulation changes include ones that would’ve benefited Rose Zhang

Several changes will impact those without LPGA status who find the winner’s circle.

The headline on Friday regarding changes to the upcoming LPGA season centered around a change in how cards will be allotted in 2025.

Essentially, there will be five more cards awarded to Epson Tour players, rewarding full-season performance on the developmental tour. Meanwhile, fewer players will leave LPGA Q-Series with status. (Though more players will receive full cards at Q-Series than in previous years.)

But beyond those big changes, however, there are a number of smaller shifts in LPGA regulations that are worth noting. Several changes, in particular, will impact those without LPGA status who find the winner’s circle.

Here are four changes worth noting:

LPGA is changing how tour cards will be allotted for 2025

This change will allow all athletes earning LPGA membership from Q-Series more access into LPGA tournaments.

On Friday, the LPGA and Epson Tour announced changes to how LPGA tour cards will be allotted for the 2025 season.

At the end of 2024 LPGA Q-Series, the top 25 finishers and ties will earn LPGA status for the 2025 season. In addition, the Epson Tour will now award five additional LPGA cards through the new points-based ranking system at the conclusion of the season finale, the Epson Tour Championship.

This change will allow all athletes earning LPGA membership from Q-Series more access into LPGA tournaments and place greater emphasis on rewarding full-season performance for players in Category 15 (LPGA 101-125 and Epson 11-15).

Previously, players who finished in the top 45 and ties at LPGA Q-Series would earn LPGA status in Categories 14 (Nos. 1-20) or 15 (Nos. 21-45). Players who complete all rounds before the cut at LPGA Q-Series will earn Epson Tour status.

“Changing the number of cards awarded at LPGA Q-Series aligns with the mission of the LPGA to identify the very best players in the world and provide the opportunity for the most talented athletes to succeed at the highest level,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a release. “This change aims to reward full-season performance while also giving the world’s rising talent an opportunity to compete for coveted LPGA Tour status.”

The Epson Tour’s Race for the Card will now offer an increased opportunity for aspiring women’s golfers to reach the top professional tour in the world. In addition to the fully exempt cards awarded to the top 10 finishers on the Epson Tour, five additional cards will be awarded LPGA status in Category 15. The introduction of these five cards is the first increase in card opportunities through the Epson Tour since the expansion from five to 10 in 2007.

“We are thrilled to announce the news of expanded access to the LPGA for Epson Tour Members at the end of the upcoming season,” said the Epson Tour’s Chief Business and Operations Officer, Jody Brothers, in a release. “We annually review the performance data of our recent graduates, and the additional access substantiates that Epson Tour athletes are arriving to the LPGA ready to perform at the highest stage.”

The top 10 in the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card will continue to earn status in Category 9 on the LPGA’s priority list for 2025. Beginning in 2024, those finishing Nos. 11-15 will earn 2025 LPGA status in Category 15. They will be zippered with LPGA members finishing Nos. 101-125 on the Race to CME Globe Points List, alternating in the following order: LPGA No. 101, Epson No. 11, LPGA No. 102, Epson No. 12, and so forth.

Meet the 50 players who earned 2024 LPGA status at Q-Series

Australia’s Robyn Choi topped the field with a 29-under total over the course of six rounds.

A total of 50 players earned LPGA status for the 2024 season at Q-Series. Australia’s Robyn Choi topped the field with a 29-under total over the course of six rounds, earning $15,000.

This year’s event, cut down from the traditional eight rounds, was held at Robert Trent Jones’ Magnolia Grove Golf Course in Mobile, Alabama. A field of 104 players began the week and a cut was made after 72 holes. Players who finished in the top 20 and ties earned Category 14 status, while those who finished from T-23 to T-45 earned Category 15.

The big move of the day belonged to Lauren Hartlage, who skyrocketed from T-60 to 16th with a closing 63.

“The last two years I had to come back to Q-School to earn my card back,” said Hartlage. “This time I feel like I’m getting better in learning the ropes of how the LPGA works, so I’m super excited to get back out there.”

LPGA veteran Jennifer Song had good friend Amy Yang on the bag this week. Yang, of course, won the CME Group Tour Championship last month and a $2 million first-place prize. Song finished tied for 17th to earn her card back.

“I think I got like 200 percent confidence from her,” said Song. “You know, just having a close friend, it’s a long week, and I knew I had the game to play well, but I just needed to feel relaxed out there, and then a friend was just what I needed out there.”

Added Yang: “You know, Jennifer, she prepared everything. Her game was so ready to go already at home. I just needed to carry the bag and just talk other stuff and make her feel comfortable.

“I really didn’t do enough other than that.”

Here’s a closer look at the 50 players who earned LPGA status for 2024: