[Golf Topic] LPGA Tour "Amateur Participation Prohibited in Q-Series Final"

Molly Marcus Samaan LPGA Commissioner

[Asia Economy Reporter Noo Rae] ○…Starting this year, amateurs are no longer allowed to participate in the final stage of the LPGA Tour Qualifying (Q) Series.

Ricky Lasky, Chief Business and Operations Officer of the LPGA Tour, explained the reason for the rule change on the 9th (Korean time), stating, "The LPGA Tour is a stage for professional players to compete," and "Players who enter the Q Series to play on the LPGA Tour must also be professionals." Since 2018, the LPGA Tour has allowed amateur players who pass the Q Series to maintain their amateur status until July of the following year.

This was to enable outstanding college players to postpone turning professional until after graduation. However, among the 16 amateurs who qualified so far, only two have delayed turning professional. This year’s major Chevron Championship winner Jennifer Kupcho (USA) and long hitter Maria Fassi (Mexico) are the examples. The policy was evaluated as "not very effective." Amateurs who advance to the final stage must change their status to professional to receive an LPGA Tour card.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.