University of Colorado golfer Robyn Choi kept alive her hopes for earning a 2019 LPGA Tour card on Thursday by advancing to the eight-round Q-Series, the final stage of LPGA Q-school.
Choi (left), a junior from Australia, finished 21st on Thursday in Stage 2 of Q-school in Venice, Fla. The top 41 finishers out of the original field of 193 landed spots in the Q-series, which will take place from Oct. 24-Nov. 3 at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina.
Choi, who has qualified in Colorado for the last two U.S. Women’s Opens, shot an even-par 72 in the final round, giving her a four-day total of 2-under 286. She made three birdies and three bogeys on Thursday and played her final seven holes in 2 under par.
Former Parker resident Elizabeth Wang, who entered the final round in 25th place, missed advancing to the Q-Series by one stroke. The Harvard freshman’s played her final five holes in 2 over par to shoot a 74 and check in at 289, which left her with a 42nd-place finish.
The players who advance to the Q-series will be part of a field — which is expected to number 103 golfers — who will compete in two 72-hole stroke-play tournaments held on consecutive weeks Oct. 24-Nov. 3 in North Carolina. Scores will be cumulative over the two weeks, with at least the top 45 finishers and ties earning LPGA cards. A $150,000 purse will be on the line.
Sixty-two players are exempt and entered into the Q-Series. Among the exempt players expected to compete are Coloradans Jennifer Kupcho and Becca Huffer and former University of Colorado golfer Jennifer Coleman, who had an LPGA Tour card in 2017.
Amateurs — such as Choi — who go on to earn their LPGA Tour cards can defer their acceptance of membership until July 1, 2019. That means they could complete their college seasons before joining the LPGA Tour should they qualify.
Here are the round-by-round scores in Stage 2 for the players with strong Colorado connections:
Advances to Q-Series
21. CU golfer Robyn Choi 72-71-71-72–286
Failed to Advance
42. Former Colorado resident Elizabeth Wang 71-73-71-74–289
104. Former CU golfer Kristin Coleman 75-73-75-74–297
120. Former Denver resident Emily Gilbreth 77-76-75-71–299
151. Ashley Tait of Littleton 76-79-73-76–304
179. Former CU golfer Brittany Fan 75-80-75-81–311
Former CU golfer Emily Childs 79-84–WD
For complete results, CLICK HERE.
