BELLEAIR, Fla. – At long last, there will be a way for superstar amateurs to bypass Q-School and go directly to the LPGA. Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine first reported the news, noting that two separate programs will provide paths to both the LPGA and Epson Tour. The LPGA informed players of the changes at a meeting earlier this week during The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.
The tour has confirmed that more details on the programs will be released next week at the CME Group Tour Championship.
The path that leads directly to the LPGA will be similar to the PGA Tour’s University’s Accelerated program, though the women’s version will be open to all amateurs rather than just college players.
“I love it so much,” Rose Zhang told Golfweek. “The criteria to get into the LPGA is very difficult, but if you have such a stellar career in the amateur league, then why not?”
Zhang, of course, bypassed what’s now known as LPGA Qualifying by winning her first LPGA event as a professional.
“We weren’t sure what the qualifications mean,” said Hannah Green, “and then they showed obviously who would’ve earned spots that are currently members and playing and it was only three people: Lydia (Ko), Rose and Leona (Maguire).”
Such a short list eased their minds that it wouldn’t be a rush of amateurs, Green said.
Most years won’t have anyone meet the threshold, in fact.
Lottie Woad of England and Lydia Ko of New Zealand pose for a photo on Day Four of the AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews Old Course on August 25, 2024, in St. Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Players were told that Lottie Woad, the 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, would currently have 16 points under the new system.
The second program, Romine noted, will mirror the PGA Tour University rankings for those in their last two years of college.
The top players from those rankings will earn Epson Tour status.
Linn Grant liked the proposal but felt that the 20-point threshold could be dropped some in future years, noting the quality of talent in the amateur game.
“If you play that well during your amateur career, you should definitely have a spot out here,” said Grant. “You shouldn’t have to go to Q-School and all of that. You go to Q-School, you could be sick for a week or just play your worst golf for some reason.”
With LPGA Qualifying falling in November and December, college coaches have dealt with losing star players midseason for more than 15 years. This won’t solve the entire problem, of course, but it will help.
This year five college players advanced to December’s final stage, and they’ll each have to turn professional in order to compete. The deadline to inform the LPGA of their decision is Friday, Nov. 15.
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