LPGA set to announce a PGA Tour U-type program
20 Nov 2024
by Sean Melia of AmateurGolf.com
see also: Lottie Woad Rankings
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Lottie Woad (ANWA Photo)
It’s been five years since the PGA Tour University format began
, and now the LPGA is set to announce its own version to help women amateurs earn an LPGA Tour card. Brentley Romine of The Golf Channel first reported that the program would have two versions—an accelerated version and a version for seniors that uses two years of point accumulation.
The biggest difference from the men’s side is that players who are not in college can earn points, too. That leaves the door open for high school players (i.e. Asterisk Talley and Gianna Clemente) and international players a shot at earning a spot on the LPGA Tour.
In retrospect, three women amateurs—Lydia Ko, Leona Maguire, and Rose Zhang — would have earned enough points to earn an LPGA Tour Card. Florida State's Lottie Woad would have earned 16 of the required 20 points if the program had been in place.
Related: Three Women College Golfers Will Forego Their Senior Spring and Turn Pro
On the men’s side, the program that is dedicated to seniors or graduate students also awards playing status on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Americas.
As of now, the details for how points will be allocated or how many spots will be available on the Epson Tour have not been announced. More information will be announced soon.