Katherine Muzi, who turned professional in June last year, shot 69 on a Monday qualifying round one week before to earn her spot in the first LPGA tournament. The Ascendant LPGA was a surprise to everyone, even Muzi. She called it a “holy-cow” moment.
Muzi didn’t simply make the cut. She finished in seventh place with 73-696968 and earned $45,658.
Muzi said, “It was like a real eye-opener for me. I realized that I could play at this level.” It was just a little bit crazy.
Muzi, who graduated from USC in Business Administration with a Bachelor’s degree, then moved east to South Carolina USC where she completed her last year of eligibility and worked towards a Graduate Degree. She played in the LPGA Q-School’s first stage over the summer but did not make the cut.
(Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Katherine Muzi reacts after her birdie at the ninth green in the final round of 2023 Ascendant LPGA Benefiting Volunteers of America held at Old American Golf Club, The Colony Texas. (Photo: Sam Hodde/Getty Images).
Muzi was one of the very first players in South Carolina to take advantage of the Annika Development Program. Players must have recently graduated from four-year colleges in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Georgia, or be residents of these states.
Muzi is joined as a first-year recipient of the program by Krista Julkkari, Lauren Walsh, and Lois Kaye Ko.
Muzi, along with others who received benefits from Annika’s foundation, have access to Old Barnwell golf amenities for a period of three years. They also receive a $10,000 stipend for tournament fees and travel expenses as well as subsidized housing for their first year in Aiken.
Muzi said that the Annika program had a significant impact. “Just me going to South Carolina opened up the door.”
The LPGA altered its rules last year to allow non-members who finish in the top 10 of designated events to play the following week. Muzi’s top-10 finish in Texas will not get her in this week’s China event because it is a limited field event. It will also not get her in the next domestic event on the schedule, The Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican because the Florida field is filled based on CME points.
Muzi is signed up to compete in the Monday qualifier at Pelican, next month. However, there’s a chance that she could receive a sponsorship exemption.
“The whole experience has been surreal,” Muzi said, feeling a bit out of place with her bag at the Old America Golf Club. “Especially since this is my first LPGA event. Like ever. Then I was a pro by accident, just playing. It’s crazy.”
