Minjee and Emma Secure LPGA Cards
Australians Minjee Lee and Emma de Groot will be teeing it up on the LPGA in 2015.
WA’s Lee secured her place after finishing on top of the leaderboard at the Qualifying Tournament being played at LPGA International, Hills and Jones courses, in Daytona Beach, Florida.
With rounds of 72, 71, 68, 66 and 73 the talented 18-year-old from Perth finished at 10-under-par with American amateur Alison Lee. Lee will have a Category 12, “full” card for 2015.
It was a relived Lee after she was done, “Definitely relieved after that week, it was such a stressful week. I never ever want to do that again.”
When asked about how she feels and goals for next year, she responded,
“Really good. I’m just really excited to play next year on tour, it is going to be great.”
“Hopefully playing good and earning a lot of money! I l think it will be really fun, there are a lot of people that I know that made it this year (through Q-School), so it will be fun to compete with them.”
This result tops off a memorable year for Lee who started the year as an amateur, won the Oates Victorian Open in February, she was then part of the Australian Team at the inaugural International Crown playing alongside Karrie Webb, Katherine Kirk and Lindsey Wright.
In September she turned pro, performed extremely well in limited starts as a professional since then and now has secured her card for the LPGA in 2015.
The players who finished 1st to 20th at the end of the 90 hole tournament received a “full” card, while players who finished 21st to 45th received a “conditional” (Category 17) card.
NSW’s Emma de Groot finished tied 35th at even-par after posting round of 76, 69, 71, 70 and 74. She will be teeing it up on the LPGA in 2015 after playing on the Symetra Tour for the last few years.
It was heartbreak for Perth golfer, Jayde Panos, who finished one shot outside the top 45. Panos, who recently turned professional, finished tied for 46th at two-over-par. Panos, along with Victorian Su Oh, who finished tied for 70th, have status on the 2015 Symetra Tour.
The 2014 RACV Ladies Masters champion, Cheyenne Woods, has also secured her full card for 2015.