Son wins first stage of LPGA qualifying school
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — On a day that typically tests the will of even the most experienced players, 17-year-old Yujeong Son of Norman, who lists herself as from Republic of Korea in all major amateur and now professional events, remained unwavering in the final round of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament First Stage and carded a 1-under par 71.
The performance earned her medalist honors for Stage I at 10-under par overall.
“It’s surreal right now and not actually getting to me yet that I won,” said Son, who started the day two shots back of the lead. “I’m excited about winning and it gives me a lot of confidence going into Stage II. I just wanted to make the cut and move, but to win and play how I played really is a boost to my game.”
Son is still fulfilling high school education requirements through the Connections Academy online program and plans to finish a semester early. Her original anticipated graduation was for the spring of 2019, but the track Son is on has her set to finish in December.
Meanwhile, as she prepares for Stage II now and continues toward a high school diploma, Son is not going to let anything get in the way of her dreams.
“I have always wanted to turn pro and play with the professionals,” Son said. “It was so fun and to be one of the 76 amateurs was very meaningful to me. Right now it gives me a lot of confidence, but we’ll have to see in October how my game is then. It is feeling pretty good at the moment.”
Here are complete results from the first stage. Son, who won multiple amateur championships in Oklahoma as well as nationally during the past five years, shot rounds of 68-73-66-71 to win the qualifier.
Also moving on were former Oklahoma Sooner Julienne Soo, tied for 33rd at 1 over, and Kenzie Niesen from Oklahoma State, tied for 55th at 3 over.
A total of 101 players ended Stage I at 6-over par or better to advance to Stage II in Venice, Fla. from Oct. 13-18 on the Panther and Bobcat Courses at Plantation Golf and Country Club.
However, those at the next score, or scores, will also advance to Stage II provided the total number of players entered into Stage II following the conclusion of The Evian Championship does not exceed 216. The notification of the additional advancing players will occur following The Evian Championship on September 17, when the field for Stage II is finalized.
EIGHT COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN TOP-10
There was 44 countries represented at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament First Stage and when play concluded, the top-10 featured eight different nations.
Below is a look at that group and where they call home, along with their overall score to par for the event.
1) Yujeong Son (Busan, Republic of Korea); -10
T2) Nicole Garcia (Kempton Park, South Africa) and Suzuka Yamaguchi (Sagamihara, Japan); -9
4) Celina Yuan (Sydney, Australia); -8
T5) Ji Eun Baik (Cumming, Georgia) and Taylor Totland (Tinton Falls, New Jersey); -5
T7) Katie Yoo (Orlando, Florida), Krista Fenniak (Fort McMurray, Alberta), Gigi Stoll (Beaverton, Oregon), Georgia Lacey (San Diego, California) and Ingrid Gutierrez Nunez (Cuautla, Mexico); -4