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Despite early reservations from those who didn’t understand the process, the LPGA Tour Q-Series, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and played at Pinehurst No. 6 and No. 9, was nothing short of a home run.
This year, the second iteration of Q-Series saw emotional stories like Haley Moore (above), the young standout from the University of Arizona who spent much of her life being bullied because of her body type, completing her dream of LPGA Tour membership by gutting out 12 final even-par holes to finish tied for 11th. Moore’s parents broke down in tears as the final putt fell.
Then there was the smiling Albane Valenzuela embracing with her father, Alberto, who caddied for her during the two-week, 144-hole event. Valenzuela was 7 under for the two weeks, putting her tied for sixth and in great shape to get into many of LPGA events next year. But she has yet to say whether or not she will defer LPGA Tour membership until the spring, when her eligibility is up at Stanford University.
“I'm going back to school tomorrow,” Valenzuela said on Saturday afternoon. “I'm getting my degree. That's a no-brainer for me. I'm a Stanford student. It's probably one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me so I'm really excited to graduate and walk down and get my diploma.
“So that's also a next step. Then I am also looking at the Olympics. That's been in the back of my mind. “A lot of ifs, but I think I've just always taken it step by step and just played my game. We'll see where it takes me.”
A total of 14 rookies graduated through the grueling two-week final stretch. Valenzuela’s Stanford teammate Andrea Lee finished T30 while USC’s Jennifer Chang finished T9 and plans to turn pro immediately.
In creating Q-Series, the LPGA allowed college players to enter and qualify but defer tour membership until the school year ends in May. Lee, the No. 3-ranked amateur in the world and a favorite to win the Annika Award as the top college player, also is unsure whether or not she will give college golf one final go.
When the pine straw settled, 45 players earned their cards, including veterans like Kim Kaufman, Emma Talley and Christina Kim, who transformed her body by losing 30 pounds and played her last three rounds 5-under par to reclaim a spot on the LPGA Tour.
The winner was Muni He, who retains Chinese citizenship despite growing up in San Diego. She was the only player to post eight under-par rounds, finishing 21 under for the two weeks. As a 2019 LPGA Tour rookie, He made the cut in only eight starts.
“I think I've learned that my game is enough for me to build upon and I shouldn't be changing it just to fit the tour ideal,” He said.
RESULTS
Staff and Wire Reports