Gabi Ruffels missed registering for LPGA Q-Series four months ago.
After securing her first professional win, the former USC standout turned pro and U.S Women’s Amateur champion made a significant step towards securing her LPGA Card.
After 54 holes, Ruffels was leading by two shots. In Sunday’s final round of the Epson Tour’s Carlisle Arizona Womens Golf Classic, Ruffels led by two shots after 54 holes. That lead was extended to five by 8 and 9.
She would make four birdies during a bogey-free last round, to finish 68-6767-6768 to win the week by two shots over Kathleen Scavo who eagled her last hole to reach 16 under.
Ruffels was eighth at LET Q School after the Q-Series gaffe. Ruffels also holds full Epson Tour status in 2023. The Epson Tour’s top 10 finishers will be awarded their LPGA cards in 2024.
The Carlisle tournament is one of two Epson tournaments that will take place in 2023. It has a total purse value of $335,000 and is the largest in tour history. Ruffels was awarded $50,250 for her first place share. Her career earnings were $74,858 at the time of entering the event.
This week, the LPGA and its developmental tour will be back-to-back at Arizona. Two 13 made it through the Epson event and will be next playing on the LPGA later in the week.
Monday’s practice rounds will begin at Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club, 21 miles from Phoenix. This is the first LPGA stop in Arizona since 2019, and the first at Superstition International since 2008.
