Golf Australia National Squad member Jayde Panos has turned professional and will play her first event for prize money at the Arizona Open in November.

Panos, currently ranked 120 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, can’t wait for the next chapter of her golfing journey to begin.

“I always dreamed of playing on the LPGA Tour and to be in the process of this becoming a reality makes me speechless,” Panos said.

“Turning professional has been something I have been looking forward to for a long time and I can`t wait to get out there and live my dream.“

The Lake Karrinyup member has spent the last few years developing her game at Oklahoma State University as part of the women`s golf team known as the Cowgirls. It`s a foundation that Golf Australia’s High Performance Director Brad James is confident will stand her in good stead.

“Jayde has gained a lot from the experience of competing against the best young players in America,” James said.

“Being able to play in this environment, but still maintain a close working relationship with Golf Australia’s High Performance team, means Jayde has had the best of both worlds and is ready to go.”

In Florida for the LPGA Tour`s qualifying series last week, Panos finished 41st and moved through to the third and final stage thus guaranteeing herself a start on either the LPGA Tour or developmental Symetra Tour next year. The top 20 players from stage three at Daytona Beach in early-December will extract LPGA Tour cards for next year.

Before her adventure started, Panos wanted to thank those who had helped her to this point.

\"A big thank you to Golf Australia, Oklahoma State University, Kevin and Ryan my coaches as well as my family. I couldn’t have done this without you.“ Panos said.