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.
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In 2023, golfers had to go through 108 holes of stroke play with six rounds over six straight days.
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From 2018 to 2022, it was 144 holes with two 72-hole stroke play events over consecutive weeks.
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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.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: LPGA Q-Series final qualifying stage is 5 days, 90 holes with 25 cards on the line
